HEREFORD and Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust has achieved its key national performance targets for the year to the end of March 2005.

The Trust met the Department of Health targets of 75 per cent of life-threatening calls receiving a response within 8 minutes and 95 per cent of non-life threatening calls receiving a response within 19 minutes

This is despite receiving more than 53,000 999 calls between April 2004 and March 2005, compared with 48,000 in the 12 months to March 2004 - an increase of 10.4 per cent.

Chief Executive Russell Hamilton said the achievement is the result of hard work and dedication of all the staff at the Trust. "From call takers, to mechanics, paramedics, technicians and managers, everyone had a part in the success of the Trust this year," he said.

"We are among only a handful of ambulance trusts in the UK that achieved both key targets. I am very pleased." to reassure the people of Herefordshire and Worcestershire that we are able to provide a responsive service despite the challenges of serving a rural population.

"But while we are pleased with the results, we will continue to find ways to improve the service we offer."

Achieving these performance targets will contribute to the Trust's star rating, which will be announced in the summer.

Last year the Trust received a maximum three star rating.

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