Ambulance response times across England were the worst on record across all major categories in December according to monthly data released by NHS England, while the number of people waiting seen within 4 hours at A&E reached an all-time low.
The average response time for people requiring an ambulance for a stroke, severe burns or chest pain was also reported at more than five times the current target at 93 minutes.
Analysing the data, Swindon Labour, reveal that across our local ambulance service, 3,481 patients with emergency conditions had to wait more than eight times the national average and 22 times the current target, 6 hours 39 minutes, for an ambulance in December.
Commenting on the figures, Labour Councillor Jim Robbins said, “Thousands of people are waiting hours for an ambulance when it should be there in minutes.
“After 13 years of Conservative failure the terrifying truth is that patients in Swindon can no longer rely on the NHS being there for them in an emergency. Heart attack and stroke victims are left waiting and waiting when every second counts.
“But Labour has a plan. The next Labour government will provide the biggest expansion of NHS staff in history to treat patients on time again, and reform the health service to make it fit for the future. We will train 7,500 more doctors and 10,000 more nurses and midwives every year, paid for by abolishing the non-dom tax status. Patients in Swindon need doctors and nurses more than the wealthiest need a tax break.”
The NHS figures also show that less than half of patients attending major A&E departments were seen within four hours in December, a record low and the first time the number has ever dropped below 50%.
