NHS England has changed its performance targets for ambulances in the light of a large scale trial.
- National response target to apply to all 999 patients.
- Faster treatment for those needing it to save 250 lives a year.
- An end to "hidden waits" for millions of patients as the wrong vehicle is sent (the time to wait for the right vehicle was not previously recorded so motorbikes and cars were sometimes dispatched to meet the target but not the need).
- Up to 750,000 more calls a year to get an immediate response.
- New standards to drive improved care for stroke and heart attack.
- World's largest clinical ambulance trial informs new system.