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| Ambulance targets missed again | Ambulance targets missed again |
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| The performance of the ambulance service in Wales is continuing to deteriorate according to the latest statistics. | The performance of the ambulance service in Wales is continuing to deteriorate according to the latest statistics. |
| In November 2008, 57.1% of Category A emergencies received a response within the eight minute target - down 1.6% on the previous month. | In November 2008, 57.1% of Category A emergencies received a response within the eight minute target - down 1.6% on the previous month. |
| This is also short of the 65% target introduced in April. | This is also short of the 65% target introduced in April. |
| Before Christmas, Health Minister Edwina Hart criticised the performance of the Welsh Ambulance Trust. | Before Christmas, Health Minister Edwina Hart criticised the performance of the Welsh Ambulance Trust. |
| There also remains a variation in performance between different parts of Wales with 38.8% of emergency responses arriving within eight minutes in Torfaen compared to 77.8% in Conwy. | There also remains a variation in performance between different parts of Wales with 38.8% of emergency responses arriving within eight minutes in Torfaen compared to 77.8% in Conwy. |
| There has also been a reduction in the number of ambulances arriving within the specified time with 81.8% of Category A calls arriving in time - again short of the 95% target and down 7.4% on the previous year. | There has also been a reduction in the number of ambulances arriving within the specified time with 81.8% of Category A calls arriving in time - again short of the 95% target and down 7.4% on the previous year. |
| In December, Ms Hart said the ambulance service must "raise its game and work with its staff and partner organisations to improve services for patients" after statistics showed that the service's performance in reaching category A calls had worsened since June. | In December, Ms Hart said the ambulance service must "raise its game and work with its staff and partner organisations to improve services for patients" after statistics showed that the service's performance in reaching category A calls had worsened since June. |
| The service had promised to make improvements after a review in June found evidence of poor staff morale and a "bullying culture". | The service had promised to make improvements after a review in June found evidence of poor staff morale and a "bullying culture". |
| Liberal Democrat health spokesman Peter Black AM said the lack of improvement was a cause for "grave concern". | |
| "The continuing failure of the ambulance service to reach its 65% target rate of arriving at a scene within eight minutes is very worrying," he said. | |
| "Yet there has been no improvement, in fact they are getting further and further from that target each month." |