To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what evidential basis the South East Coast strategic health authority describes as a myth the proposition that patients’ lives will be at risk if it takes longer for the ambulance to transport them to accident and emergency as described on its website http://www.southeastcoastfff.nhs.uk. (157010)

This is a matter for the local national health service. South East Coast strategic health authority has advised officials that the evidence obtained comes from several academic sources and has been a theme in a number of national publications.

We would encourage the hon. Member to contact the chief executive of the lead NHS organisation in this matter which is West Sussex primary care trust.