AMBULANCE response times in Herefordshire are to be reviewed following concerns that coverage in some parts of the county is falling short.

Herefordshire Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee ordered the formal review after questioning representatives from West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS).

Councillor Dr Kay Swinburne, chairman of the committee, said the review would have particular reference to Ledbury and Ross. Its scale, objectives and timescale are to be discussed with WMAS.

The committee heard that response times for category A or life threatening calls in Ledbury had varied.

In May, June and July this year, 50%, 57.1% and 57.9% of calls respectively were responded to within eight minutes, but in August it increased to 72.7%.

In Ross, 73.1% of calls were responded to within eight minutes in June, but in August, it was just 47.8%.

The committee felt these performance levels merited particular focus in the formal review, especially when response times in Hereford city were between 80% and 90% for the same period.

The official target for Category A is 75%.

Coun Swinburne told WMAS representatives: “I have very little sympathy when we have market towns feeling underserved.”

But she added: “We are very grateful for the work the trust has been doing locally.

Please don’t take it that we have a negative view of the service.”

The meeting was told by Derek Laird, locality director for WMAS, that response times in the county had improved for the most serious category A calls.

For this year until the end of August, WMAS attended 73.4% of these calls within the required eight minutes. This was increased from 71.4% last year.

So far for September, this figure is 81.3%.

“It is pleasing that we are improving performance,”

said Mr Laird. “We have put on additional resources in Herefordshire.”

Mr Laird said he would bring up the issue of coverage in Ledbury and would look to see if any improvements could be made.

He added that WMAS was seeing an increase in alcohol-related calls, which could divert ambulances from medical emergencies.

● The service is looking for more people to become community first responders.

Volunteers can email Malcolm Price at Malcolm.Price@wmas.nhs.uk