"EXCESSIVE demand" on Oxfordshire's 111 health line meant just over half of calls were answered within 60 seconds in March.

It has been put down to staff sickness and a shortfall in rotas, which are now being reviewed alongside a remedial action plan currently being agreed.

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust spokeswoman Michelle Archer said: "SCAS can confirm that our NHS 111 Service saw excessive demand increases by circa 16 per cent from December until the end of March compared to the same time period last year.

"This put pressure on our ability to answer calls as quickly as we would like. We are working hard to improve our response to the patients who require our assistance.

"In addition we have seen challenges with workforce shortfalls for the service."

Ms Archer demand on the NHS 111 service was returning to forecast levels enabling the service to improve.

She added: "Following continuous and comprehensive recruitment drives we are now resolving our shortfalls in staffing and as a result we are welcoming new staff to the service. These recruitment activities will continue.

"Our call answer performance has significantly improved."

The latest figures showed that 8.90 per cent of 111 NHS calls were transferred to the 999 service in March against the target of less than 10 per cent.