23/01/2026
North East Ambulance Service Responds Faster Than National Target
New NHS figures show that the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) was the only ambulance trust in England to meet the national response target for the most serious 999 calls in December. These are the calls where every second counts — cardiac arrests, severe breathing difficulties, and other life‑threatening emergencies.
The national standard is an average response time of seven minutes. NEAS reached six minutes and 20 seconds.
To achieve this, the service has been working closely with hospitals, keeping track of pressures in real time and directing crews to where patients can be seen quickest. They’re also treating more people safely at home or over the phone, which helps keep ambulances available for the most urgent cases.
Another part of the picture is the Patient Transport Service, which helps move people in and out of hospital. By supporting discharges and planned appointments, it frees up beds and reduces delays for emergency crews arriving at A&E.
Winter remains a challenging period, with more 999 calls and busy emergency departments across the region. Even so, NEAS’s approach shows how strong teamwork across the health system can make a real difference when people need help urgently.
