South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust β Ambulance Response Times
Real NHS England Ambulance Quality Indicators (AmbSYS) for May 2026, covering the South West region. Org code RYF.
What is the ambulance response time for South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust?
In May 2026, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust recorded a mean Category 1 (life-threatening) ambulance response time of 9 minutes 22 seconds β above the 7-minute target β and a mean Category 2 (emergency) response of 40 minutes 24 seconds against an 18-minute standard, per NHS England AmbSYS. Its Gera Ambulance Performance Index is 59.6/100. Gera re-dates this monthly.
| Category | Mean response | 90th centile | England mean | Target (mean / 90th) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 (life-threatening) | 9 minutes 22 seconds | 17 minutes 11 seconds | 7 minutes 52 seconds | 7 min / 15 min |
| Category 2 (emergency) | 40 minutes 24 seconds | 83 minutes 16 seconds | 29 minutes 13 seconds | 18 min / 40 min |
| Category 3 (urgent) | 148 minutes 28 seconds | 353 minutes 5 seconds | 107 minutes 49 seconds | 60 min / 120 min |
| Category 4 (less urgent) | 229 minutes 43 seconds | 584 minutes 16 seconds | 148 minutes 50 seconds | β / 180 min |
On the latest month, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust's Category 1 mean was above the 7-minute target and its Category 2 mean was above the 18-minute target, across 91,805 total incidents. These are monthly averages and not a prediction for any single 999 call.
Estimate response time at South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Choose an emergency category to see the real latest response time vs the England average and the fastest trust.
At South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, the latest mean Category 2 ambulance response time was 40 minutes 24 seconds, with a 90th-centile of 83 minutes 16 seconds β meaning 9 in 10 Category 2 responses arrived within that time.
National Category 2 mean target: 18 minutes. This trust is above target on the latest month. The fastest trust for Category 2 this month is North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust at 18 minutes 30 seconds. Figures are monthly averages, not a prediction for any single call.
Category 2 calls are emergency, such as a suspected stroke or heart attack. If this is a real emergency, call 999 now β do not wait. This tool reports historical averages only.
Across 91,805 total incidents at this trust in the latest month. Source: NHS England Ambulance Quality Indicators (AmbSYS), May 2026.
Compare other ambulance trusts
- East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (64.5 / 100)
- East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (72.5 / 100)
- Isle of Wight NHS Trust (73.7 / 100)
- London Ambulance Service NHS Trust (77.8 / 100)
- North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (100 / 100)
- North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (86.8 / 100)
- South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (66 / 100)
- South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (77.7 / 100)
- All ambulance trusts & England average β
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust ambulance response times: FAQs
- What is the ambulance response time for South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust?
- In May 2026, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust recorded a mean Category 1 (life-threatening) response time of 9 minutes 22 seconds and a mean Category 2 (emergency) response time of 40 minutes 24 seconds. The national targets are 7 minutes and 18 minutes respectively. England averages were 7 minutes 52 seconds (C1) and 29 minutes 13 seconds (C2). Source: NHS England AmbSYS, May 2026.
- How fast do ambulances arrive for a heart attack in the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust area?
- A suspected heart attack is usually a Category 2 call. In May 2026, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust had a mean Category 2 response time of 40 minutes 24 seconds and a 90th-centile time of 83 minutes 16 seconds (9 in 10 responses were within this). The most life-threatening calls (Category 1, e.g. cardiac arrest) had a mean response of 9 minutes 22 seconds. These are monthly averages, not a guarantee for any single call. Source: NHS England AmbSYS, May 2026.
- Is South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust meeting the ambulance response targets?
- On May 2026 data, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trustβs Category 1 mean of 9 minutes 22 seconds was above the 7-minute target, and its Category 2 mean of 40 minutes 24 seconds was above the 18-minute target. Its Gera Ambulance Performance Index is 59.6 / 100. Source: NHS England AmbSYS, May 2026.
- What should I do for a non-emergency in the South West area?
- For a 999 emergency always call 999. For a non-urgent health concern that does not need an ambulance, a GeraClinic online consultation with a UK-registered clinician can assess and triage you β often the same day. This helps keep South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust resources free for genuine emergencies.
Non-emergency in your area? Skip the wait
For a 999 emergency always call 999. For a non-urgent concern that doesn't need an ambulance, a UK-registered GeraClinic clinician can assess and triage you β often the same day β keeping South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust resources free for genuine emergencies.
Contains public sector information published by NHS England and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: NHS England β Ambulance Quality Indicators (AQI), AmbSYS (May 2026, published 11 June 2026).