Heart attack victims face a 40-minute wait for an ambulance under radical new NHS plans

HEART attack and stroke victims will wait up to 40 minutes for a 999 response under radical NHS reforms.

Bosses say the shake-up of ambulance targets will mean life-threatening cases are seen faster than ever.

They estimate the moves will save 250 lives a year.

But millions will wait longer for treatment.

Life-threatening cases include patients suffering a cardiac arrest, where their heart has stopped suddenly or those suffering allergic shock.

Paramedics will be expected to reach them in seven minutes — down from the current eight.

The 40-minute maximum wait applies to emergency cases such as suspected heart attacks and strokes.

The NHS wants crews to reach them in 18 minutes on average.

About half of all 999 calls — around five million annually — are life-threatening.

Under the biggest shake-up since the 1970s, four million of those will be downgraded.

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Operators will get three more minutes to better assess these cases, up from 60 seconds.

The changes will be introduced across England by the end of the year.

Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS medical director, said they would bring to an end a culture of “hitting the target but missing the point”.

Charities such as the Stroke Association welcomed plans.

But Joyce Robins, of Patient Concern, said: “It seems like rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic.”