50% of ambulances miss time target

Almost half of ambulances sent out on lifesaving cardiac emergencies are failing to reach patients within strictly set target times.

Figures confirmed by Health Minister James Reilly show that despite emergency response time limits of eight minutes being in place, nearly half of ambulances are not achieving the goal.

According to the figures, provided in response to a parliamentary question by Fine Gael TD Denis Naughten, Health Information Quality Authority (Hiqa) guidelines state that 75% of emergency ambulance callouts should reach patients within eight minutes.