Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:45 pm on 22 November 2016.
As you say, there is significant pressure across the UK in terms of calls on our accident and emergency services, and the impact that that has on ambulance services. But as the Member will be aware, and as Members across the Chamber will be aware, we do have escalation plans. All health boards have escalation plans that are used when there’s rising demand, particularly when there are demands above expected levels. And the health board did respond to this increase in demand using those plans, in line with their level 4 status. They managed, of course, throughout the day in line with the health board’s responsibilities. There were exceptional pressures on Sunday. Importantly, attendances were a third higher on Sunday than the previous day. This did require a broader range of actions to take place to support both patients and front-line staff. In fact, the health board does remain at level 4 status, but once this reduces it de-escalates its status. But I would also, finally, say that despite the pressures, ambulance response rates in the Cardiff area for life-threatening calls were at 80 per cent on Sunday, and this included 20 in one hour in terms of arrivals. We must pay tribute to the staff who, of course, are managing these pressures.