LOCAL ambulance services are confident of meeting stringent new measures aimed at prioritising emergency responses - to save more lives.

An announcement by Health Minister John Horam has set new targets for dealing with a patient's clinical needs as part of the Charter Standard for ambulance services.

And local services in the Blackburn and Hyndburn areas are already preparing to meet the new emergency call out time of just eight minutes - due to be implemented next spring.

"We're already practising the new measures and will be well prepared when they come into force," said Wilf Jones, leading ambulanceman at Altham Station on Burnley Road. "Categorising the patient's condition is very important and I'm sure it will save more lives."

The minister has slashed 11 minutes off the emergency response time for patients with life-threatening conditions.

Combined with the introduction of pre-arrival advice to 999 callers, patients can be sure the service is providing the best possible care.

"This is an enhancement of our service which is one of the best in the country," said John Marsden, district ambulance manager for Blackburn. "Those with heart and other similar critical conditions will receive immediate attention and I'm convinced a large number of lives will be saved."

The chief executive of Lancashire Ambulance Service, David Hill, said: "We support the changes and look forward to implementing them."

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