The London Ambulance Service (LAS) has reported its quickest response times since 2021.
According to LAS, the integration of artificial intelligence and remote assessments has allowed clinicians to dedicate more time to patients, which has contributed to these enhancements.
In August, the average response time for the most urgent patients, categorized as category 1 calls, was six minutes and 40 seconds—marking the fastest rate since April 2022.
Moreover, the response times for category 2 calls, which encompass conditions such as strokes, breathing difficulties, and chest pain, were the most rapid recorded since May 2021.
LAS noted that the volume of emergency calls has remained elevated since the onset of the pandemic, with 20,000 additional calls received last month compared to August 2024.
To support this increased demand, the service has expanded its ambulance fleet by adding 150 new vehicles and has scheduled 200 more front-line shifts compared to the same month last year.
Additionally, LAS has upgraded its fleet with newer vehicles and established overnight mechanic workshops for vehicle repairs.
Clinicians in the control center have successfully treated more patients over the phone, reducing the need for hospital visits. This “hear and treat” approach has allowed more than one in five patients in London to receive care this way.
Furthermore, the service has introduced a new AI tool, Ambient Voice Technology, which listens to and transcribes discussions between clinicians and patients, converting spoken language into organized medical notes automatically.
Jason Killens, the chief executive of the London Ambulance Service, expressed: “These statistics reflect the remarkable dedication of everyone at LAS in enhancing the care we provide, from our road clinicians and 999 control room staff to those maintaining our ambulances and ensuring they’re ready for front-line duties.
“We must sustain this progress and continue to embrace innovative practices, both within LAS and alongside our NHS partners, to deliver the quality of care that our patients need and deserve.”
