Third of life-or-death 999 ambulance calls in England not attended by paramedic

Emergency medical technicians and emergency care assistants are thought to attend most of 999 calls that paramedics do not. Photograph: London Ambulance Service/PA

One in three life-or-death 999 ambulance calls in some parts of England are not attended by a paramedic, NHS figures obtained by the Guardian reveal.

The disclosure has prompted fears that seriously unwell or badly injured patients may receive inadequate care from a less-qualified member of ambulance staff lacking a paramedic’s skills.