Ambulances failing to hit target on time in some rural parts of Shropshire
Ambulances managed to reach fewer than one in three emergencies in some rural parts of Shropshire during the past year, according to new figures.
West Midlands Ambulance Service managed to respond to 70.9 per cent of incidents in the county within eight minutes, falling short of the national 75 per cent target.
Areas with the worst response times included Claverley, where ambulances only arrived within eight minutes 21.7 per cent of the time.
In Much Wenlock the success rate was 26.6 per cent, Ellesmere 27.6 per cent, High Ercall 28.6 per cent, Cleobury Mortimer 29.9 per cent and Wem, Shawbury and Ruyton-XI-Towns 30 per cent.
Areas which fared better but still failed to meet the target included Albrighton 39.1 per cent, Whitchurch 66.4 per cent, Bishop's Castle 67 per cent and Ludlow 73.1 per cent.
Only seven of the 37 ambulance districts managed to meet the 75 per cent target.
They were Oswestry and East 76 per cent, Alveley, near Bridgnorth, 76.1 per cent, Ditton Priors, near Bridgnorth, 80.8 per cent, Market Drayton 81.4 per cent, Shrewsbury and West 90.7 per cent; Shrewsbury/Battlefield 90.8 per cent and Shrewsbury/Sutton 96 per cent.
Officials at WMAS today said they needed more money to reach the target.
But Shropshire councillor Gerald Dakin has branded the figures 'unacceptable' and has called a public meeting at Whitchurch Civic Centre on March 28 to see what can be done to improve response times.
Councillor Dakin, who represents Whitchurch South, said: "When the 'make ready' system was brought in we were promised response times would improve. I'm waiting on the figures for the past five years but the levels at present are unacceptable."
West Midlands Ambulance Service reorganised its services for Shropshire so ambulances are mainly based at two hubs in Telford and Shrewsbury.
Paramedics respond from community ambulance stations around the county. Under the controversial 'make ready' scheme ambulances are then sent out if required.
Murray MacGregor, communications director for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "Under the 'make ready' scheme we have more staff based in more localities."
He added: "The independent Lightfoot review said with the resources we have Shropshire is never going to meet the 75 per cent target.
"We agree 70 per cent is not good enough for Shropshire. However, for it to improve we need more money."
