Ambulance response times improve by 10 minutes in West Cumbria
Faster response times are part of wider improvements in NHS services nationally
Ambulances in West Cumbria are reaching serious emergencies about 10 minutes quicker than they were a year ago, new analysis has revealed.
Category 2 incidents, which include heart attacks and strokes, now see local crews arriving significantly faster than in 2022, providing potentially lifesaving care to patients sooner.
This improvement forms part of a wider reduction in ambulance wait times across England. On average, waits for Category 2 emergencies have reduced by a third, dropping from 47 minutes to 32 minutes.
The reduction comes amid an extra £450 million being made available through the emergency care plan for 2025/26, according to the announcement.
Other developments in the NHS have been reported, such as shorter national treatment waiting lists. Figures shared last week revealed patient waiting lists had fallen by over 86,000 in November, marking the second biggest single-month drop in 15 years.
In north and west Cumbria alone, the waiting list has reduced by 1,025 since Labour came into office, part of a total reduction of more than 312,000 across England.
Josh MacAlister, MP for West Cumbria, commented on the figures: "Labour is getting our NHS back on its feet here in West Cumbria and right across the country - and you can see that change in faster ambulance responses, higher GP satisfaction, falling waiting lists and shorter waits at A&E.
"The simple fact is that quicker ambulance times like these mean better outcomes for people in West Cumbria. This is lifesaving care arriving faster when families need it most."
NHS improvements locally have been attributed to increased funding and modernisation efforts, with initiatives like extended GP appointments, surgical hubs, specialist operation teams, and expanded use of technology aiming to support patients more effectively.