South Western Ambulance Service is defending a trial that it will take part in next month, pilule whereby operators will get two extra minutes to deal with certain calls.
South West Ambulance Service said: “The clinical work we have already undertaken to support this pilot has shown that there is significant evidence to suggest that patients will benefit. Where a call is not immediately life threatening, discount giving call handlers extra assessment time will ensure that we make the right decision for our patients, therefore providing the best possible care.”
“It is also expected that our ambulances will be better deployed to where they are most needed and allow a faster response time for those patients who really need it.”
The GMB Union claims more people will die, but the service says dispatchers will still decide on urgent cases within 60 seconds.
Lower category calls will get the extra time.