Welsh Ambulance Service Introduces New Cardiac Arrest Category to Improve Survival Rates

Starting July 1, the Welsh Ambulance Service is introducing a new 'purple' category specifically for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, separating these cases from the existing 'red' category of life-threatening emergencies, to improve survival rates which currently stand below 5%. This change reflects a shift in focus from response times to patient outcomes, aiming to prioritize those with the most urgent needs and measure success by how many patients have their heartbeat restored before hospital arrival. The initiative follows recommendations from the Senedd’s Health and Social Care Committee, emphasizing more tailored clinical responses, improved access to defibrillators, and better hospital handover processes to reduce delays. Additional measures include the deployment of community welfare responders, trained volunteers who provide critical observations at emergency scenes, and the introduction of clinical navigators in control rooms to screen calls and prioritize resources more effectively. Welsh officials highlight that these reforms represent a commitment to saving more lives through targeted interventions and modernized ambulance service protocols. The changes collectively aim to ensure more appropriate care for patients and enhance the overall effectiveness of emergency medical response in Wales.