Change in how ambulance service deals with 999 calls

THE way the Welsh Ambulance Service deals with the most serious 999 calls is changing from today.

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The aim is to improve survival rates, say the Welsh Government.

Anew purple category is being introduced for people suffering from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and the red category will be retained for the life-threatening emergencies, those at high risk of cardiac or respiratory arrest, including illnesses and trauma.

The changes are designed to ensure more people get the life-saving help they need from the ambulance service, while those who do not need an ambulance receive more appropriate care for their needs, says the Welsh Government.

They aim to help improve survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Wales, which are currently at less than 5%.