IMPROVEMENTS to ambulance response times in Torfaen were met with guarded reaction from councillors yesterday.

Having bottomed-out last December, figures for category A emergencies last month were five per cent above Assembly guidelines.

Torfaen council had invited Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust chief executive Alan Murray to explain the borough's performance record.

Althoug councillors were pleased with some improvements they called for even better results as winter draws in.

Cllr Brian Mawby said: "These are matters of life and death and not just a matter of statistical compliance.

"We want to see continued improved response rates in line with the rest of Wales."

In December 2008, less than two-in-10 of the most serious emergency calls were reached within the target eight-minute period.

By August this year this rate was up to 62.1 per cent and in October it was up to 70 per cent - above the all-Wales target of 65 per cent.

Cllr Paul Williams said: "Eighteen months ago, Torfaen slipped to a very low response rate. But we are pleased to see new systems being put in place."

Mr Murray said the 70 per cent performance against the eight-minute target was achieved in October in spite of high demand, and the service is now preparing for Christmas and New Year operations.

"We know we have to get the wheels moving more quickly," he said. Mr Murray also updated members on what reforms had been made.

In Torfaen, new resources being put in place include six new emergency response staff, the deployment of two new vehicles and three teams of community responders in Blaenavon, Pontypool and Cwmbran, for which 20 volunteers are currently being trained.

Communication systems are being revamped to include automatic vehicle location, data transfer between emergency vehicles, and satellite navigation for rapid response vehicles for faster home intervention treatment.

Overall there has been a £5 million investment programme in progress, said Mr Murray.

He added: "Ambulance turnaround times at hospitals is also an issue being treated as a top priority in the Newport area."

Mr Murray praised local volunteer ambulance teams for their work on non-emergency call outs.