The government is still failing to meet its targets in terms of providing emergency care, latest statistics have shown.

Figures released for the first quarter of 2017 show 91 per cent of ambulances reached life threatening emergencies within 20 minutes - four per cent short of the targeted 95 per cent. However, this was an improvement of nine per cent on previous performance.

Moreover, only 58 per cent of those receiving the attention of a first resonder, were treated within the eight-minute target, a fall of one per cent.

Waiting times for cancer sufferers have improved with 78 per cent of people who are referred to hospital with suspected cancer being seen within two weeks.

This is an eight per cent improvement, but it still falls way short of the 93 per cent target.