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Increase in 999 ambulance emergency calls Increase in 999 ambulance emergency calls
(35 minutes later)
A record nine million emergency calls were made to the ambulance service in England last year, figures show.A record nine million emergency calls were made to the ambulance service in England last year, figures show.
The Health and Social Care Information Centre performance report for 2014-15 showed calls had risen by 6% in a year.The Health and Social Care Information Centre performance report for 2014-15 showed calls had risen by 6% in a year.
The figure is up from 5.6 million 10 years ago and 2.6 million 20 years ago.The figure is up from 5.6 million 10 years ago and 2.6 million 20 years ago.
Just five out of 11 ambulance services met their target to respond to 75% of the most serious calls in eight minutes.Just five out of 11 ambulance services met their target to respond to 75% of the most serious calls in eight minutes.
Overall, just 72% of these life-threatening calls were seen in that timeframe - down from just over 75% the year before.Overall, just 72% of these life-threatening calls were seen in that timeframe - down from just over 75% the year before.
Just over a third of the 999 calls ended up with an ambulance being dispatched.Just over a third of the 999 calls ended up with an ambulance being dispatched.
The results come after A&E units endured their busiest winter for a decade, with waiting times dropping to their worst level since the four-hour target was introduced a decade ago.The results come after A&E units endured their busiest winter for a decade, with waiting times dropping to their worst level since the four-hour target was introduced a decade ago.
Professor Keith Willett, from NHS England, pointed out the growth in workload was even outstripping that on A&E.
He said attempts were being made to relieve the pressure with pilots already underway allowing crews more time to decide whether to dispatch an ambulance to the less serious calls;. He said there had been some "encouraging" initial results.