The problem that lead to this type of situation are multiple and varied. There is no quick fix but the call rate had to rocket with the difficulties in seeing a GP. Jobs like this should get us all angry and it's a good thing that Tom cares enough to get angry. Most of us are too shell shocked to care anymore. We spend so much time with people who need nothing more than paracetamol. At some point we need to go back to the public and ask "What do you want the Ambulance service to do?" I bet a very low percentage would say that we should be going to a cold, let alone treating it as a cat 'A'. There is a great line about statistics, 'There are lies, damned lies and statistics.' The numbers come up in relation to the questions asked but are the right questions being asked? What should an Ambulance service be doing? Why is the drunk in the street a Cat 'A' (response less than 8 mins)when the 90 year old with a fractured leg only a cat 'C'? (response when we have a spare ambulance not going to a drunk in the street.)