GREATER Manchester Ambulance Service has hit demanding new Government targets to meet 75 per cent of life threatening emergency calls within eight minutes.

This time last year GMAS NHS Trust was averaging just 46 per cent of category A calls - those deemed life threatening - within eight minutes.

But now - after careful planning, increased funding, and much hard work and cooperation from staff - performance levels have shot up to 78 per cent.

When faced with the new targets, GMAS drew up a response plan, which was approved by the Government's winter emergency services team.

These targets have been met after GMAS introduced several new initiatives as well as a significant boost in staff numbers.

GMAS recruited 112 student paramedics who are now in service after their initial training period while 24 extra control room staff were taken on.

Other developments include the introduction of a rapid response vehicle service, a revised ambulance despatch service, an intermediate ambulance service and improvements in information technology.

GMAS chief executive John Burnside says: "Everyone at GMAS always knew we had the potential and the capability to improve response times for patients, but we didn't have the necessary resources. With increased funding from all our local health authorities enabling more staff and vehicles, we have shown what we can do.

"My management team compiled and implemented an effective plan to improve service and we have not only met our target, but exceeded it. Our next challenge is to maintain and improve on this current level."

Director of human resources John Williams adds: "This is a magnificent return from our many initiatives including sweep-ing changes in ambul-ance control and the introd-uction of rapid response veh-icles, new staff and new vehicles.We have benefited from the cooperation of all our staff and their trade unions."