THE county's ambulance service was the highest performing trust in the country for responding to the most serious calls, latest figures reveal.

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) reached more than 71 per cent of 'red 1 calls', the most life-threatening incidents, within eight minutes.

While the national average for England in October was 67.3 per cent, and the target is 75 per cent, the service which covers Oxfordshire was still the highest.

Assistant Director of Operations for SCAS Paul Jefferies said: “Demand for our emergency 999 service continues to rise and we are focused on continuing to improve our performance against our national targets.”

The figures were revealed by NHS England which also published cancer referrals and A & E waiting times in Oxfordshire.

The statistics show how Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) fell short of the national target of ensuring 93 per cent of patients with suspected cancer were seen in 14 days.

With 91.83 per cent of patients being seen to in the two weeks, the OUH compared with other trusts had a higher influx of patients in that category.

During October 11,639 residents came through A and E at the John Radcliffe in October and more than 73 per cent of patients were seen in four or less hour.

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