Responding to NHS England’s announcement today (Thursday) about changes to ambulance call handler targets, national ambulance officer Alan Lofthouse said:

“Every second counts for emergency call handers. So giving them longer to do their job will help save scarce resources at a time when staff are under huge pressure.

“But common sense changes alone won’t rescue underfunded ambulance services.

“Patient lives will be put at risk unless investment increases to meet ever-rising demand.”

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