Our emergency performance is measured through the Ambulance Response Programme (ARP), which aims to make sure we are reaching patients as quickly as we possibly can.
Under ARP there are four categories, with category one being the most serious incidents. All categories have a performance standard based on the time it takes to respond to the incident. These performance standards can be seen below:
- Category one is for calls about people with life-threatening injuries and illnesses. These will be responded to in an average time of 7 minutes and at least 9 out of 10 times within 15 minutes.
- Category two is for emergency calls. These will be responded to in an average time of 18 minutes and at least 9 out of 10 times within 40 minutes.
- Category three is for urgent calls. In some instances you may be treated by ambulance staff in your own home. These types of calls will be responded to at least 9 out of 10 times within 120 minutes.
- Category four is for less urgent calls. In some instances you may be given advice over the telephone or referred to another service such as a GP or pharmacist. These less urgent calls will be responded to at least 9 out of 10 times within 180 minutes.
Our emergency response is not just measured on time alone, but on how we treat patients and the outcomes of the treatment. The ambulance quality indicators were introduced in 2011 for all ambulance services in England. The Ambulance Quality Indicators statistics are updated monthly and can be found on NHS England.