Will the Cabinet Minister confirm whether the intelligent routing protocol, or any successor system for transferring 999 calls between ambulance services, remains in operation in Wales, and if so, what safeguards are in place to ensure patient safety?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care | Answered on 14/07/2026
The Intelligent Routing Platform (IRP) remains in operation across Wales. It is a UK‑wide system used by ambulance services, including the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust, to provide additional resilience at times of exceptional pressure, helping to ensure that 999 calls are answered as quickly as possible. The IRP does not change how ambulances are dispatched, and responsibility for the patient’s care always remains with the local ambulance service.