More than 30 trainee paramedics have been drafted in by ambulance service officials after a rise in 999 calls in Essex saw response times fall

In December, the Evening Gazette revealed how the Essex Ambulance Service Trust had fallen below Government targets of reaching 75 per cent of immediate life-threatening calls within eight minutes

The Trust maintained that level for 15 consecutive months, but since June, 2002, the service has shown a downturn in performance.

At a meeting of the Essex Strategic Health Authority in Maldon, chief executive Terry Hanafin spoke of the drop in response times.

He said: "The number of category A calls being reached within eight minutes has deteriorated from 75 per cent to less than 65 per cent in December.

"To not reach the national target is a serious blow for us and we need to get back up to 75 per cent."

After the meeting, an Essex Ambulance Service Trust spokesman said it was addressing a number of factors in an effort to return to form.

Acting director of operations Richard Lane said: "In November and December, 2002, 999 calls exceeded expected levels by 5.65 per cent and 17.56 per cent respectively, which inevitably puts pressure on staff.

"We have increased the number of trainee paramedics by 32 and have 16 recruits in training."

Published Friday, January 31, 2003

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