Ambulance response times in Powys are the worst they have been for 10 years, new figures have revealed, with the majority not hitting the eight minute target.

Latest statistics for August show emergency ambulance response times in the region were the lowest recorded since the Welsh Assembly was established in 1999.

But the Welsh Ambulance Service said today it was doing all it could to help address the problem by working with hospitals.

The figures released by the Assembly show there was a substantial fall in the number of ambulances arriving on scene within the target eight minutes, with those on target falling from 53 per cent in July to 38.8 per cent in August – the All-Wales target is currently set at 65 per cent.

Politicians have hit out at the figures and called for more to be done to address the problem.

Mick Bates, AM for Montgomeryshire, said: “Ambulance response times in Powys have reached an appalling record low.

“More and more patients are not receiving the emergency care that they need in Powys.

“The Health Minister must look seriously at the challenge of delivering health care in rural areas and take action to address these issues, so that patients in Powys no longer receive a second class service.”

Kirsty Williams, AM for Brecon and Radnor and the Welsh Liberal Democrat leader, said lives were being put at risk.

A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Services said: “The Welsh Ambulance Service is continuing to work with hospitals to speed up transfer of patients to accident and emergency departments.”