Feb272017
Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh has directed that a High-level Coordination Committee comprising CMDs and top Ministry officials
Feb272017
The decision comes off the back of a positive independent evaluation of the model commissioned by the Emergency Ambulance Services Committee (EASC).
The clinical response model, announced in summer 2015, moves away from historic time-based targets for all but the most immediately life-threatening or ‘Red’ calls. It places a greater focus on patient outcomes, prioritising those in most need of an urgent response.
The target is for 65 per cent of the most urgent ‘Red calls’ to be responded to in eight minutes. The 65% target has been achieved each month since the trial started in October 2015; performance has continued to improve and in each of the last 9 months, more than 75% of red calls have received an emergency response within eight minutes.
Health Secretary Vaughan Gething said:
“Since the implementation of the new clinical response pilot, the Welsh Ambulance Service has improved its performance significantly.
“The independent evaluation published today backs our decision to take the bold step to adopt the new model, following the successful pilot. The fact they found there to be clear and universal acknowledgement, both from within the ambulance service and external partners, that moving to the new model was appropriate and the right thing to do, is excellent news.
“I also welcome that the report confirms response time performance for those in most need of an immediate clinical intervention has improved substantially. The latest ambulance statistics confirm this with a standard response time of less than five minutes to immediately life-threatening calls in each of the last six months.
“I’d like to thank Welsh Ambulance Service, the ambulance service call handlers, clinicians, volunteers and other staff for their hard work in making the model the success it has been.
“It’s fantastic that the pilot has attracted global interest and the Welsh ambulance service has not only been invited to provide advice to a number of ambulance services in England and Scotland, but further afield to Canada, New Zealand, Australia, USA and Chile. The Scottish Ambulance Services Trust is currently undertaking a nationwide pilot of a very similar model to our own.
“It is crucial that we now grasp the opportunity and continue to lead the way internationally in this important area for the benefit of the people of Wales.”
Feb272017
The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of Friday 24 February and could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. All our improvement work is carried out with the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.
The northbound entry slip road at junction 30 will be fully closed overnight on Monday 27 February for survey works. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.
The hard shoulder is currently closed in both directions as part of the smart motorway scheme between junctions 32 and 34. The northbound carriageway will be closed between the slip roads at junction 33 overnight for two nights from Saturday 4 March. The northbound exit slip road at junction 32 will be closed on Thursday 2 March. The southbound entry slip road at junction 34 will be closed overnight for seven nights from Monday 27 February. The southbound exit slip road at junction 33 will be closed overnight for seven nights from Monday 27 February. There will be narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit until the project is completed in March 2017. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.
The westbound carriageway will be reduced to a single lane overnight for four nights from Tuesday 28 February for road marking works. The closure will take place between 9pm and 6am.
The eastbound entry slip road will be fully closed overnight on Monday 27 February for electrical works. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.
The westbound exit slip road will be fully closed overnight on Tuesday 28 February for electrical works. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.
The clockwise exit slip road at junction 2 will be fully closed overnight on Tuesday 28 February for electrical works. The clockwise entry slip road at junction 2a will be fully closed overnight on Thursday 2 March for electrical works. The closures will take place between 9pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.
The southbound carriageway will be fully closed overnight for four nights from Thursday 2 March for barrier works. The closures will take place between 9pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.
The westbound entry and exit slip roads will be fully closed overnight on Thursday 2 March for routine works. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.
Feb272017
The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of 24 February but could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. All our improvement work is carried out with the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.
Work to reduce congestion and improve journey times continues this week with narrow lanes a 50mph speed limit in place on both carriageways between junctions 2 and 4a, with a free recovery service operating 24 hours a day.
The southbound carriageway between junctions 2 and 4a including the M25 junction 12 entry slip to the M3 southbound and M25 junction 12 anti-clockwise link road to the M3 southbound including junctions 2, 3 and 4 entry slips and junctions 3, 4 and 4a exit slips will be closed overnight, between 8pm and 5.30am on Monday 27 February for four nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via:
The northbound carriageway between junction 4a and 2 including junction 4a, 4 and 3 entry slips, junction 3 exit slip and the M3 junction 2 slip road to the M25 clockwise and M3 junction 2 link road to M25 anti-clockwise will be closed overnight, between 8pm and 5.30am on Monday 27 February for four nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via: M3 junction 4a to A327 to A30 to M25 junction 13 to M3 junction 2 northbound.
The northbound carriageway between junctions 3 and 2 including junction 3 entry slip and M3 junction 2 slip road to the M25 clockwise and M3 junction 2 link road to M25 anti-clockwise will be closed overnight, between 8pm and 7am on Friday 3 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via: M3 junction 3 to A322 to A30 to M25 junction 13 to M3 junction 2 northbound.
The M3 Jct 2 northbound slip road to the M25 clockwise and the link road to the M25 anti-clockwise will be closed over the weekend between 9pm Friday 3 March and 5.30am Monday 3 March. Three clearly signed diversions will be in place via:
For further details visit the scheme page.
Work to maintain journeys by undertaking bridge bearing and support replacement continues this week. Narrow lanes and a 50mph speed restriction are in place on the link form the M3 southbound to the A303 westbound 24 hours a day until May.
Work to improve safety by carrying out repairs to the barrier along the southbound carriageway starts this week. Lane closures will be in place on the southbound carriageway overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 5 nights.
Work to improve journeys by resurfacing a section of the M3 northbound carriageway near Otterbourne starts this week. Lane closures will be in place on the northbound carriageway overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 6 nights (Monday to Friday only).
In addition, the northbound entry slip road at junction 12 will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Thursday 2 March for 3 nights (Monday to Friday only).
Work to keep road users informed by maintaining the signage along the M3 continues this week. The southbound exit slip road at junction 13 will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, until Wednesday 1 March (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the Chilworth Roundabout.
Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out maintenance to the street lighting along the M4 continues this week. Lane closures will be in place on the east and westbound carriageways overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 9 weeks (Monday to Friday only).
In addition, the eastbound carriageway between the slips at junction 5 will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, during the same period. Traffic will be diverted down and across the junction.
Work to keep road users informed by maintaining the signage along the M4 continues this week. Lane closures will be in place on the east and westbound carriageways overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Tuesday 28 February for 5 nights (Monday to Friday only).
Work to improve journeys by carrying out surveys in preparation for converting the M4 into a Smart Motorway continues this week. A lane closure will be in place on the southbound Huntercombe Spur overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 5 nights.
Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out maintenance to the drainage system at the junction finishes this week. Lane closures will be in place on all approaches to the junction overnight, between 9pm and 6am, until Tuesday 28 February.
Work to improve journeys by carrying out surveys in preparation for converting the M4 into a smart motorway continues this week. Lane 1 of the westbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 2 weeks (Monday to Friday only).
Work to refurbish the bridge which carries the link roads over the M4 continues this week. Narrow lanes and a 40mph speed limit are in place on the slip roads and a 50mph speed limit is in place on the M4 carriageway until November 2017.
Work to improve safety by carrying out repairs to the barrier along the M4 near Shinfield continues this week. Lane closures will be in place on the westbound carriageway overnight, between 10pm and 6am, until Friday 17 March (Monday to Friday only).
Work to improve journeys by replacing a bridge joint and resurfacing a section of the M4 westbound carriageway between Moto services and junction 12 continues this week. Lane closures will be in place on the westbound carriageway overnight, between 10pm and 6am, until Tuesday 28 February.
The westbound carriageway will then be fully closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, on from Wednesday 1 March for 9 nights (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A33 and A4.
Work to improve journeys by carrying out surveys in preparation for converting the M4 into a smart motorway continues this week. Lane 1 of the eastbound entry slip road at the junction will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 5 nights.
Work to refurbish the bridges which carry the M4 over Dark Lane and Ashampstead Road continues this week. Narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit will be in place on the east and westbound carriageways from Monday 27 February until August.
Work to improve journeys by resurfacing the M27 westbound carriageway finishes this week. Lane closures will be in place on the westbound carriageway with traffic running along the hard shoulder only overnight, between 9pm and 6am, until Friday 3 March. Traffic will also be directed to exit at junction 3, cross the junction and return onto the M27 westbound carriageway via the entry slip road.
Work to maintain journeys by undertaking bridge joint replacement starts this week. The link from the M27 westbound carriageway to the M3 northbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 2 weeks (Monday to Sunday). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via Junction 3, accessing the M3 from the M27 eastbound carriageway.
Work to improve journeys by resurfacing the M27 starts this week. The westbound carriageway from junction 8 to junction 7 will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 2 weeks (Monday to Friday). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A27.
Work to maintain road user safety by renewing the road markings and maintaining the signage along the M271 takes place this week. The southbound links between the A3057 Romsey Road roundabout and the M27, and between the M27 and Lordshill Roundabout will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A3057 Romsey Road and Brownhill Way. In addition, lane closures will be in place on the southbound link from the M27 to the Lordshill Roundabout overnight, between 9pm and 6am, on Tuesday 28 February.
Work to maintain road user safety by renewing the road markings and carrying out drainage maintenance takes place this week. The A3 southbound carriageway will be closed from Ockham to the University Interchange at Guildford overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 2 nights.
In addition, the A3 northbound carriageway will be closed from the University Interchange to Ockham overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Wednesday 1 March for 2 nights.
A clearly signed diversion for the southbound closure will be in place via B2215 Portsmouth Road, A247, A25 towards Guildford, re-joining the A3 at the University Interchange. The diversion for the northbound closure is the same but in reverse.
Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out drainage maintenance along the A3(M) takes place this week. Lane closures will be in place on the northbound carriageway overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 2 nights.
Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out drainage maintenance along the A3(M) takes place this week. Lane closures will be in place on the northbound carriageway overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Wednesday 1 March for 5 nights (Monday to Friday only).
Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out drainage maintenance along the A31 continues this week. The A31 eastbound carriageway from the Boundary Lane junction to the Woolsbridge roundabout will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 4 nights. Clearly signed diversions will be in place for local residents (Boundary Lane and Hurn Road) and for heavy goods vehicles (west along the A348, east along the B3073 and north up the A338).
In addition lane 1 of the eastbound carriageway between the Palmersford and Boundary Lane roundabouts will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Friday 3 March for 5 nights (Monday to Friday only).
Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out drainage maintenance starts this week. Lane closures will be in place on the northbound carriageway overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 2 nights.
Work to improve road user’s journeys by resurfacing a section of the A34 northbound carriageway continues this week. The A34 northbound carriageway will be closed from the A303 (Bullington Cross) to the A343 (Wash Common) overnight, between 10pm and 6am, until Monday 6 March (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A303, Andover and A343.
Work to improve road user’s journeys by resurfacing a section of the A34 southbound carriageway starts this week. The A34 southbound will be closed from the A415 Marcham Interchange to the A4185 Chilton Junction overnight, between 10pm to 6am, from Monday 27 February for 12 nights (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place from the A420 Botley Interchange, the west on the A420, south on the A338 to Wantage, then east back towards Chilton/Milton.
Work to improve journeys by carrying out surveys of the drainage system along the A34 continues this week. The northbound entry slip road at the A420 Botley Interchange will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, on Tuesday 28 February. A clearly signed diversion will be in place south via the Hinksey Hill junction and return.
In addition, work to maintain road user safety by carrying out maintenance to the street lighting at the A44 Peartree Interchange continues this week. The southbound entry slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 5 nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the Oxford ring-road, re-joining the A34 at the Hinksey Hill junction.
Work to maintain road user safety by carrying out drainage maintenance along the A303 takes place this week. Lane closures will be in place on the east and westbound carriageways overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday 27 February for 7 nights (Monday to Friday only).
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.
Feb272017
The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of the above date but could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. All our improvement work is carried out with the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.
Narrow lanes with 40mph speed restrictions will be in operation northbound and southbound until April.
Westbound carriageway will be closed overnight from 8pm on 5 March until 6am on 6 March. Diversion will be clearly signposted.
Narrow lanes with contraflow and 50mph speed restrictions will be in operation northbound and southbound until July 2017.
Northbound entry slip road will be closed nightly, 8pm to 6am, from 27 February until 3 March. Diversion will be clearly signposted.
Northbound entry slip road will be closed overnight from 8pm on 3 March until 6am on 4 March. Diversion will be clearly signposted.
Narrow lanes with 40mph speed restrictions will be in place until September 2017.
Narrow lanes with 40mph speed restrictions will be in place on the eastbound exit slip road and westbound exit slip road until October 2017.
Southbound entry slip road will be closed overnight from 8pm on 3 March until 6am on 4 March. Diversion will be clearly signposted.
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.