Ambulance response times for the most serious emergencies across Swindon and Wiltshire have fallen dramatically over the past year, according to newly published figures.
Across the NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire area, ambulances are now reaching Category 2 incidents — such as heart attacks and strokes — an average of 32 minutes faster than they were a year ago.
The latest data shows that local response times have dropped from one hour and eight minutes to 36 minutes. In Swindon, waits for these life-threatening emergencies have almost halved.
Nationally, average Category 2 response times have also improved, falling by around a third from 47 minutes and 26 seconds to 32 minutes and 43 seconds.
The improvement follows new investment in emergency care, including an additional £450m announced as part of the 2025/26 emergency care plan.
The figures come shortly after separate NHS data showed waiting lists across England fell by more than 86,000 in November, marking the second-largest single monthly reduction in 15 years. Overall, national waiting lists are reported to have fallen by more than 312,000 since the General Election, despite continued high demand for treatment.
Labour councillor Jim Robbins said the changes were already being felt locally.
“Labour is working hard to get our NHS back on its feet here in Swindon and across the country,” he said. “We’re seeing that in faster ambulance responses, higher GP satisfaction, falling waiting lists and shorter waits in A&E.
“The simple fact is that quicker ambulance times mean better outcomes for people in Swindon. This is lifesaving care arriving faster.”
He added that while progress had been made, more work remained.
“For years people were promised change but rarely saw it. The NHS hasn’t always been there when people needed it. Labour is starting to turn that around through record investment and modernisation, and we completely reject suggestions that the NHS should be replaced with private insurance.”
Emergency care improvements have been supported by changes across the health service, including extended evening and weekend appointments, more diagnostic tests delivered closer to home, surgical hubs to reduce backlogs, and the wider use of digital technology.
Health leaders say the challenge now is to maintain progress while demand for NHS services continues to rise.
