East Midlands Ambulance Service says it cannot cut 999 delays alone as region records slowest response times

East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) has said it cannot reduce 999 response delays on its own, as it warned that performance is affected by pressures across the wider NHS in Lincolnshire. In a statement, the service said longer waits are linked to demand on emergency departments and difficulties handing patients over at hospital, which can leave ambulances waiting outside and unavailable for new emergencies. EMAS said it is working with NHS partners and local authorities to improve performance. EMAS said it is continuing to recruit staff, increase clinical capacity and review how resources are deployed across Lincolnshire. However, it added that improvements also depend on faster hospital handovers and more capacity in community health and social care to support timely admissions and discharges. The service said people should continue to call 999 for life-threatening emergencies, and to use NHS 111 and local urgent care services for non-life-threatening problems where appropriate.