EMBARGOED UNTIL 00:01 - 31/12/2025: North East Ambulance Service advice for New Year celebrations

North East Ambulance Service and NHS partners are urging the public to celebrate the New Year safely and responsibly to reduce pressure on healthcare services and protect vulnerable community members during cold weather.  

Temperatures across the North East are forecast to fall significantly this week, prompting the Met Office to issue a cold health alert. This alert will be in effect from 8pm on 28 December until 12pm on 5 January, highlighting the increased risk that cold weather poses to vulnerable members of our communities. 

Head of emergency, preparedness, resilience and response (EPRR) at North East Ambulance Service, Stuart Holliday said: “This time of year can be challenging for a lot of people, but support is available. 

“We want everyone to enjoy ringing in the New Year but we also urge the public to please think before picking up the phone to 999 or 111 and think about other services first including 111 online, urgent treatment centres, mental health services, pharmacies and GP when they are open.”   

To look after yourself and support healthcare services during this busy period, the public is encouraged to: 

• Celebrate responsibly and know your limits 

• Stay with friends and avoid walking home alone 

• Remember your keys, phone and have plans to get home. 

• Don’t drink and drive 

• Prepare for bad weather 

• Avoid risky behaviour and confrontations 

• Use NHS 111 for non-life-threatening issues 

• Access mental health support if you’re struggling 

• Make sure your medicine cabinets are fully stocked 

• Check in on friends, family and neighbours 
• Call 999 in the event of a life-threatening emergency 

Stuart continues, “We would always advise someone who thinks their condition is life threatening to call us but please think before you pick up the phone - do you really need an ambulance or is there another way of you getting help?   

“We also ask that anyone waiting for an ambulance please only call back if their condition worsens or to cancel if it is no longer required. Delays can bring harm to patients so it’s important that we take every measure we can to reduce them.

“During this period, it is especially important for everyone to take extra care, check in on friends, family, and neighbours, and ensure that homes are kept warm and well-stocked with essential supplies. 

“Please ensure your medicine cabinet is stocked up with any regular medication you require as well as essentials like a first aid kit, thermometer, paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines and plasters. 

“Anyone needing urgent mental health support should ring 111 press 2. There is a wide range of confidential, trusted mental health support available including texting services, wellbeing hubs and much more.” 

More details on mental health support and services can be found here: https://northeastnorthcumbria.nhs.uk/news/eight-free-ways-to-get-mental-health-and-wellbeing-support-this-christmas/ 

Dr Neil O’Brien, chief medical officer at NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: "Firstly, I wish to thank all NHS staff across the region, who are working incredibly hard to ensure patients get the care they need.

"Like every festive bank holiday, ambulance and A&E teams find themselves under much more pressure, so we need to ensure that they can focus on patients who need help the most. Avoidable incidents during these times of celebrations are most often linked to drinking too much. This puts a major strain on all health services.

"I wish everyone a healthy and happy New Year, and kindly ask that you enjoy the celebrations sensibly and help avoid spending New Year in A&E."

"If you are seriously unwell over the next few days, it’s important that you get help. For anything else, please contact a community pharmacy, 111 online or by phone, an urgent treatment centre or your GP practice when it is open. Patients who come to A&E with minor problems should expect a long wait and may be asked to use a different service."

Across the New Year weekend, the Safe Haven van in partnership with Northumbria Police will also be in operation in Newcastle City Centre as well as Medicar in Cleveland which is supported by Cleveland Police and the alcohol reception centre at the Bigg Market in Newcastle.  

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