READERS have been reacting to the Welsh Government's plans to spend a further £3 million to address the pressures the Welsh Ambulance Service is facing.
The funding, announced on Thursday July 20, is aimed at helping improve ambulance response times.
It will also be used to recruit more emergency ambulance staff to help those most seriously ill or injured.
This additional funding will enable the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust (WAST) to recruit around 100 additional frontline staff and introduce a new ‘Cymru High Acuity Response Unit’ (CHARU) service.
READ MORE: 'Lack of care staff' contributing to bed blocking at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd
The Welsh Ambulance Service says it is under 'significant pressure' across its services.
This is a common theme throughout the UK - a survey of more than 1,000 British adults found around six out of 10 (61%) people were not confident an ambulance would arrive quickly if they needed one.
The poll, carried out by Ipsos for the PA news agency, also found that nearly two-thirds (64%) of people did not have confidence they would be seen quickly in A&E if they needed emergency care.
Our readers have been getting in touch with us to give us their thoughts on the £3 million funding announcement. Some think the money could be better spent elsewhere within the health service ...
Katie Jane said: "Its the hand over to hospital thats the problem, if i had a magic wand I'd make ambulance admissions separate to walk in A&E, so patients are seen straight away, and the ambulances are available pretty quick again."
Nia Lloyd added: "More hospitals! It’s not rocket science. More ambulances won’t make more space in hospitals."
Sarah Taylor added: "It’s more beds and hospital staff that are needed."
Tom Davies told us: "Throw money at it and see what happens, the root cause of the ambulance situation is the staffing at hospitals and shortage of beds, £3m for the whole of Wales is a drop in the ocean as far as money goes."
Carol Williams said: "Yes but not only the Ambulances. It's when they get to hospitals cause they haven’t got enough staff on A&E departments so patients are sitting on the Ambulances. Can’t win."
David Cooper posted: "I don’t think 3 million will be enough."
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