Public urged to think before they dial 999 this New Year
Ambulance bosses are again appealing for people in the North East to use their emergency service wisely over the New Year.
New Year’s Eve is traditionally one of the busiest nights of the year for the service.
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.
· Last year, the service answered 1,376 calls to 999 and attended 636 incidents between 6pm on New Year’s Eve and 6am on New Year’s Day, which is many more than a usual weekend night and more are predicted for this year.
· Over the Christmas period so far from Saturday 23rd December to Thursday 28th December there has been a staggering increase in calls to 999 and 111 in the North East. North East Ambulance Service answered more than 40,600 calls over the period compared with 29,950 over the same period last year.
· Between 23rd and 28th December the service attended 6,795 incidents across the North East, 94 more than the same period last year.
· The service treated and/or discharged almost 1600 patient over the telephone or at home over the 6 day period
· One of the reasons for such a large increase in calls to NHS111 has been from patients wanting a repeat prescription.
Douglas McDougall, Strategic Head of Operations at NEAS, said: “If you’re celebrating New Year, have a great time but please be aware of how much you’re drinking, eat beforehand, plan transport home, get well wrapped up and look after yourself and your friends. Everyone wants to get 2017 off to a great start, not spending the night in A&E.
“We are experiencing severe pressures in responding to emergency calls because of a significant increase in calls, so 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.
“Over the coming weekend and bank holiday there are still other services available so make sure you consider those as well. Calling 999 for trivial incidents and minor conditions can potentially put those with life-threatening illnesses and injuries at risk by diverting ambulances elsewhere.
“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.
“I add my thanks again to all of our staff working over the festive season. It’s been incredibly demanding for them and they have worked tirelessly – many beyond their break or finish periods.”
Party-goers can enjoy the festivities and keep themselves safe by taking some of the following steps:
* Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for cold weather
* Eat a meal before heading out
* Stay hydrated – have a soft drink in between alcoholic drinks
* Don’t over indulge with the alcohol and keep your drink in sight at all times
* Stay together and look after each other
* Pre-book your taxi for getting home before you go out and keep some money spare to pay for it. Text each other so you know you’re all home safely
People who require treatment or advice for a minor illness or injury should consider other more appropriate healthcare services available to them such as self-care, pharmacists, GP surgeries, urgent care centres or NHS 111. Only call 999 when someone is in need of time-critical life-saving help. For more information about NHS services available near you visit NHS Choices at http://www.nhs.uk.
Examples of emergencies where 999 should always be called include:
· Chest pain
· Difficulty in breathing
· Unconsciousness
· Severe loss of blood
· Severe burns or scalds
· Choking
· Fitting or concussion
· Drowning
· Severe allergic reactions.
ENDS
For more information, please contact the NEAS Press Office on 0191 430 2099
Notes to editors
Notes to editors:
North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (NEAS) covers 3,200 square miles across the North East region. It employs more than 2,500 staff and serves a population of 2.7 million people by handling all NHS 111 and 999 calls for the region, operating patient transport and ambulance response services, delivering training for communities and commercial audiences and providing medical support cover at events.
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.