BHF responds to improved ambulance waiting times for heart attacks and strokes

Average ambulance response times for heart attacks and strokes were an hour faster in January than the previous month, new NHS England figures reveal.

In December, average ambulance waiting times for category 2 calls - which includes heart attacks and strokes - reached a record 92 minutes.

However, today's figures for January show that average ambulance response times are now 32 minutes across England.

Before the pandemic, ambulance services were much closer to responding to category 2 calls by the target of 18 minutes. However, this target has not been met since 2021.

Last month, NHS England and Government published a plan to reduce ambulance and A&E waiting times, which included setting a new interim recovery target of 30 minutes for category 2 ambulance calls for the next year.

Beyond 2024, the plan's aim is for category 2 ambulance response times to recover to the pre-pandemic standard of 18 minutes.

Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, our Associate Medical Director, said: “Heart attacks and strokes kill – that's why every minute matters. If average ambulance response times continue to improve, as they have done this month, today’s figures are reason for cautious optimism. 
 
“But this isn’t yet job done. To stop dangerously long ambulance waiting times becoming the norm every winter, we need long-term strategic thinking that ensures there are enough NHS specialist staff to deliver someone’s lifesaving heart care in time.

"It’s also vital that ambulance response times get back to an average of 18 minutes for heart attacks and strokes, which was the target before the pandemic began.

"This matters because heart disease can’t wait – the longer someone waits for their cardiovascular care, the higher their risk of permanent disability or death.”

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