Pressures in the ambulance service are linked to pressures across the whole system.

Pressures in the ambulance service are linked to pressures across the whole system.

 Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive at NHS Providers, said of the move: “This is a welcome step to safely respond to pressure on ambulance services and hospitals.

“The focus is on ensuring patients’ needs are met in the right place – whether that’s a hospital or a community setting – and that more urgent category 2 calls, such as for a suspected stroke or heart attack, are responded to as quickly as possible.

“However, reducing demand at the front door isn’t enough to ensure sustained improvement.