Ambulance Service under “severe pressure”
Members of the public are being reminded to think before dialling 999 as North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) reports an increase in pressure.
Calls to 999 and 111 on Boxing Day increased by a third compared with last year. NEAS answered more than 6,800 calls yesterday (26 December) compared with 5,100 on Boxing Day 2016.
Over the four days from Saturday 23 December to Boxing Day there has been a staggering 49% increase in calls to 999 and 111 in the North East. North East Ambulance Service answered more than 24,500 calls over these last four days compared with 16,400 over the same four days last year.
Douglas McDougall, Strategic Head of Operations, said: “We are experiencing severe pressures in responding to emergency calls because of a significant increase in calls.
“Please help us reach those patients who need us most by using 999 wisely. Your call could potentially delay our response to someone else who might need us more.
“Please think before you pick up the phone; do you really need to go to hospital and if you do, is there anyone else who can take you? Turning up to hospital in an ambulance does not mean you will be seen any quicker.”
One of the reasons for such a large increase in calls to NHS111 since Friday has been from patients wanting a repeat prescription over the weekend.
Douglas added: “I want to add my thanks to all the staff in the ambulance service who have been working over the festive season. It’s been incredibly demanding for them and they have worked tirelessly – many beyond their break or finish periods – to care for their patients.”
NEAS operational status is currently severe pressure at level three of four under the national resource escalation action plan, a framework designed to maintain an effective and safe operational and clinical response for patients.
This means that while the service attempts to operate a normal service, its response standards to potentially life-threatening calls has deteriorated. As a result of additional pressures across the wider NHS network. Delays in ambulance turnaround times at hospitals, for example, has seen four-and-a-half days’ of ambulance capacity lost on Boxing Day alone.
Members of the public should only dial 999 for medical emergencies.
Examples of medical emergencies include:
· Chest pain;
· Breathing difficulties;
· Unconsciousness;
· Severe loss of blood;
· Severe burns;
· Choking;
· Fitting;
· Drowning
· Severe allergic reactions
If it is not an emergency, members of the public are asked to seek help from their GP, pharmacist or local walk-in centre. Anyone unsure of where to go can call NHS111.
More information about the local services available, as well as links to health advice, is also available at urgentoremergency.co.uk
ENDS
Notes to editors
Strategic Head of Operations, Douglas McDougall is available for interview today (27 Dec). Please contact the North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust Press Office on 0191 430 2099.
If you require any further information please contact the North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust Press Office on 0191 430 2099
NOTES TO EDITORS
What is Resource Escalation Action Plan (REAP)?
All UK ambulance services have four levels of alert, based on demand and performance, aimed at maintain an effective and safe operational and clinical response. Normal routine operations would be at REAP Level 1 and at each level there are actions to protect every ambulance trust’s core services.
The REAP is a national ambulance system designed to increase operational resource in line with demand, in order to assist the service in coping with periods of high pressure and maintain the quality of patient care. Hence the varying levels reflecting increased pressure on the service, up to Level 4, where there is extreme pressure.
The considerations and actions within the REAP are designed to assist in protecting staff, patients and the organisation, and to enable the trust to deliver core functions and to recover the full range of service within an agreed timeframe.
Health advice:
What should I keep in my medicine cabinet at home?
| Medicine or first aid | What it’s used for |
| Paracetamol and ibuprofen | Effective at relieving most minor aches and pains such as headaches period pain, inflammation in arthritis and sprains. |
| Oral rehydration salts (such as Dioralyte®) | Fever, diarrhoea and vomiting make us lose water and essential minerals, and can lead to dehydration. If you have these symptoms and can't continue your normal diet, oral rehydration salts can help to restore your body’s natural balance of minerals and fluid and relieve discomfort and tiredness. They don’t fight the underlying cause of your illness, such as a virus or bacteria. |
| Antacids (comes in chewable tablets, or tablets that dissolve in water, or in liquid form) | Stomach ache, heartburn or trapped wind and be treated by a simple antacid, which will reduce stomach acidity and bring relief. |
| First aid kit: Bandages Plasters Thermometer Antiseptic Eyewash solution Sterile dressings Medical tape Tweezers | These are some of the main items that should be in your first aid kit.
If you have small children – you should keep a thermometer and children’s paracetamol handy, and take with you if you take trips or breaks away. |
Repeat prescriptions
If you or someone you care for requires medicines regularly, make sure you order and collect repeat prescriptions in good time to ensure you or your family have enough medicine to last over the festive period. Many of the calls to out of hour’s health services are for emergency repeat prescriptions when people have run out of their medication – a situation that could be avoided with some forethought and planning. By thinking ahead for your regular medication you are helping our busy out of hour’s doctors and nurses.
Information on your local NHS services
If you are injured or unwell there are a number of different NHS services that you can access. If you are unsure if a service can treat your condition, just call ahead and ask.
Pharmacist
Your local pharmacy provides expert advice on common health problems and many pharmacies have early and late opening hours.
GP practices and out of hours GP services
Your GP practice treats the majority of your healthcare needs and is usually the first point of contact for most medical issues.
Everyone should be registered with a GP practice - if you are not registered, you can find information about local GP practices at www.nhs.uk.
GP practices are usually open Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
Many now open extended hours – sometimes earlier in the morning, later in the evening and some are open on a Saturday.
If you need to see a GP when your own practice is closed, contact the 111 service who can help.
Urgent dental treatment and out of hours access
You can contact the out of hours dental service through the 111 service.
A&E or 999 – for health emergencies
Please ONLY use the 999 service for serious health emergencies which include: a major accident, broken bones, breathing problems, severe chest pains, unconsciousness, suspected stroke and severe blood loss.