What is your emergency?

How calls are prioritised

Category one: life threatening

Loss of consciousness, not breathing, difficulties breathing. Standard: average wait of seven minutes, 15-minute limit for 90 per cent of patients, ambulance must arrive within 19 minutes if required.

Category two: emergency

Includes heart attacks, strokes and head injuries – if conditions in category one are not met. Standard: average wait of 18 minutes, 40minute limit for 90 per cent of patients, including arrival of ambulance if required.

Category three: urgent

Includes minor burns and uncomplicated abdominal pain – as long as not accompanied by conditions in higher categories. Standard: 2-hour limit for 90 per cent of cases, including ambulance if required.

Category four: non-urgent

Includes diarrhoea and vomiting, bee stings and urinary tract infections – as long as not accompanied by conditions in higher categories. Standard: 3-hour limit for 90 per cent of cases, including ambulance if required.