Ambulance Waiting Times in South Wales East

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services – in the Senedd at 2:30 pm on 16 November 2022.

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Photo of Delyth Jewell Delyth Jewell Plaid Cymru 2:30, 16 November 2022

Minister, nearly every week, there are questions relating to the unacceptable delays that patients face while waiting for ambulances, and every delay risks people's lives. I've been contacted by a constituent who witnessed one such delay in Abergavenny earlier this month. The constituent was in a wedding anniversary party and someone present became very unwell and fell unconscious. The emergency services were called and my constituent said that, to the shock and horror of those present, they were told that there was a seven-hour wait for an ambulance. Now, fortunately, the person in question recovered consciousness, but it could so easily have turned out very differently. The same constituent remembered how, when they witnessed a similar incident six years ago at Christmas time, an ambulance was requested and attended within minutes. They've said that the more recent incident has led them to feel that if they were to be suddenly taken ill, it would be pointless calling for help. So, Minister, what assurance can you give me, please, and my constituent, that the situation will improve?