Ambulance delays are likely to increase in the winter months

ONE in four Brits have avoided calling for an ambulance over fears it would take too long to arrive, a shocking new poll reveals.

Instead, 25 per cent opted for a taxi, 18 per cent walked to A&E, and a staggering 17 per cent stayed home, risking their health.

Nearly half of Brits, 49 per cent, are also worried they will face a 12-hour wait in A&E if the NHS is hit by another winter crisis while 45 per cent fear they won't be able to see their local GP.

The Savanta poll of 2,028 people, commissioned by the Lib Dems, comes after NHS chiefs warned healthcare services are likely to come under "significant pressure" and many patients will face longer waits for care during winter.

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said: "The last Conservative Government's incompetence and neglect has driven the NHS to breaking point.

"The situation is now so bad that patients are worried that when they call 999 or their local GP, they won't receive the care they so desperately need.

"Winter after winter the NHS has faced the same crises and the Conservatives never did more than paper over the cracks.

"Even now the Conservative leadership candidates are too busy firing insults at each other instead of taking responsibility for fixing the damage they did to our health service.

"The crisis in the NHS must be tackled head on without delay.

"From crumbling hospitals to sky-high waiting lists, the new Government must make fixing the health service their top priority.

More patients on wards and in casualty increases the likelihood of ambulance delays as it takes longer to hand patients over to hospital and get back on the road.

On average, ambulance services in England do not meet response time targets.

Sir Julian Hartley, chief of NHS Providers which represents hospital bosses, said: "Anyone in an emergency who needs help fast should call 999 right away.

"In England, demand is a third higher than before the pandemic for the most serious ambulance calls.

"It has gone through the roof but NHS trusts and staff continue to work flat out to see patients as quickly as possible.

"Recent months have been some of the busiest ever for callouts but the latest figures show improved ambulance response times."

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "We inherited a broken NHS and it is appalling that some patients fear they cannot rely on our ambulance services.

"It is our mission to get the health service back on its feet, including by supporting the NHS to improve ambulance response times.

"Through our 10-year plan for health, we will build an NHS fit for the future that is there for people when and where they need it."