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The Welsh Ambulance Trust is the worst performing paramedic service in England and Wales – again – according to recently released annual figures.

In 2006, Roger Thayne, the then Chief Executive of the Ambulance Trust, resigned, saying he was being forced to run a service that was costing lives.

His departure sparked a national debate – and a series of high level reports.

Three years on BBC Cymru Wales's Week In Week Out programme (Tuesday 7 July, BBC One Wales) invited him back for a progress report to see if the ambulance service is still in a critical state.

What he found shocked him – on key indicators there's been no progress.

Since 2006 ambulance response times across Wales have failed to improve and four out of every 10 people who call 999 are still waiting too long for emergency help.

Some are being ferried to hospital in the back of police cars and even fire engines.

"I'm shocked. It's no better, probably worse, and is definitely costing lives," says Roger Thayne.

"What I am surprised about is why the Welsh Assembly Government and the people of Wales put up with this."

Within Wales, the new counties of Gwent continue have the worst urban performance and, what's worse still, in the busiest winter months, 999 response times have deteriorated.

Across Britain's towns and cities 999 calls should get a response within eight minutes: it's the national benchmark.

But last winter in Newport, Monmouthsire and Torfaen less than a third saw a paramedic within that time.

Week In Week Out investigates why, after three years and huge extra investment of public money, our ambulance service is not performing better and saving more lives.

999: Still Waiting, BBC One Wales, Tuesday 7 July 2009, 10.35pm

BBC Cymru Wales Communications