The local non-emergency call handling 111 service has been named the slowest -answering in the UK - and the ambulance trust providing it is pulling out.
The South West Ambulance NHS trust has been consistently failing to answer calls within 60 seconds... one recent weekend only around 45 per cent met the target.
There's concern that if people can't access the 111 service they'll go to A&E instead.
The ambulance trust says it's unable to achieve the exacting performance measures, and with regret it will stop running the service in Devon and Cornwall next March.
It's thought one reason for the failings at weekends is the fact that GPs' surgeries are closed, leading to increased demand.
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