Trust steps up 999 call handling

An ambulance trust says its 999 call handling in the South West is being improved with new technology.

Control centres for the South Western Ambulance Service handle about 2,051 calls every day from Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset.

Calls are now being prioritised by a computer which prompts operators to ask key questions in order to give callers the best help they need.

Higher skilled ambulance clinicians are also answering some calls.

All 999 calls are categorised into three groups: red for emergency life-threatening, amber for emergency and green for an urgent response.

The trust says all urgent response calls are now being handled by ambulance clinicians who have a variety of medical backgrounds.