NIAS has advised that the difference in position between Belfast and other LCG areas partly reflects the protocol that the nearest available ambulance should be used to respond to an emergency. Where ambulances from other LCG areas have transported aHS patient to Belfast and an emergency arises whilst they are there, that ambulance may be asked to deal with the call as the nearest
available vehicle. NIAS has been asked to consider whether alternative approaches are possible that would continue to meet response
times.
There has been deterioration in performance within the Northern LCG areas in July and this will raised at the performance meeting with NIAS.