AMBULANCE chiefs could have a shortfall of paramedics early next year as they bid to meet national eight-minute response times.

Current recruitment difficulties mean Hereford and Worcester's service could be around 14 paramedics down by next year.

New Government guidelines require 75 per cent of life threatening calls to be responded to in eight minutes by March.

At present Hereford and Worcester responds to emergency calls within eight minutes about 53.8 per cent of the time.

Boosting that number to 75 per cent will require an additional 14 paramedics and trust chiefs fear the new targets could leave them with a shortfall.

Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust chief executive, Cliff Orme, said at a trust meeting they were one of a few services nationwide not currently meeting the 75 per cent target.

The figure is expected to eventually reach 90 per cent which it is estimated could save an extra 3,000 lives a year.

Trust chiefs have contingency plans to send technicians, who are a level below paramedic, to category B and C calls - serious but not life threatening calls - with paramedic back-up if required.

Five new high dependency vehicles, plus trained staff, will also help the trust achieve the 75 per cent standard.

"There is a natural progression to paramedic training but the latest indications seem to be that there is a great reluctance for ambulance technicians to make that extra step to become paramedics," said Mr Orme.

Technicians who make that step up receive an extra £1,000 salary but added responsibility.

There are currently around 120 paramedics but with additions there will be 140.

Steve McGuinness, trust director of operations, said a lot of crew were happy to stay as technicians or were approaching retirement and enjoyed playing a supporting role.