A paper published in the BMJ today (8th June 2001) suggests that 999 ambulance response should be faster to reduce the number of fatal heart attacks. The authors argue that the current target of 90% ambulances responding to calls in 14 minutes is too low and that this is resulting in heart attack victims dying before adequate help has reached them. To halve the number of heart attack deaths, the authors propose two solutions. Firstly, that response targets should be reduced from 14 minutes to 8 minutes and secondly that other emergency services (for example, fire and police) should be provided with defibrillators.

Comment: You may have seen the British Heart Foundation's adverts around town encouraging people to learn basic life saving skills. Review their website to find out how you can train here.

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