Public urged to use 999 wisely following increased demand

Members of the public are being asked to use services wisely after North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) reported unprecedented demand on its service.

By the end of November, NEAS had already taken more 999 calls than it had received for the whole of 2018 – despite December traditionally being its busiest month of the year.

Now it is calling on the public’s help to ensure it can continue to reach those patients who need its service most.

On the first weekend of December alone, the service received 5,088 emergency 999 calls compared to 4,278 in the same period last year and attended 3,597 incidents compared to 3,370 last year. That weekend also saw an increase in the most serious life-threatening calls compared to the same period last year.

Paul Liversidge, chief operating officer for NEAS, said: “This time of year is always extremely busy for us but, having already seen more 999 calls than in the entirety of 2018, December is looking busier than ever for our service.

“Additional demand placed upon our service, especially for patients who have serious and sometimes complex conditions, unfortunately limits our ability to respond to other patients as quickly as we would like. We will always prioritise those patients who are most in need but would ask for the support from members by only calling our service in a life-threatening emergency. 

“Please think before you pick up the phone; is your condition something that needs immediate medical attention and if not, is there another way of accessing help? If you do think you require medical attention, do you really need an ambulance or hospital treatment? We want to make sure A&E departments have capacity for those who urgently need emergency care and that people who can be treated elsewhere don’t have an unnecessary wait in A&E. Arriving at A&E by ambulance also doesn’t mean you are seen any quicker than if you had made your own way in.

“We would also ask for members of the public who have already called our service not to make a repeat call unless the patient’s condition has worsened. I know it can be frustrating to wait for an ambulance when you are concerned for yourself or a loved one but answering these types of follow up calls mean we are not answering another person’s 999 call.”

This week’s plea comes ahead of what is one of the busiest nights in the calendar, the last Friday before Christmas, known locally as Black Eye Friday.

Between 6pm and 6am last Black Eye Friday, NEAS received a 50 per cent increase in 999 calls compared to the previous weekend – 914 calls, compared to 609.

Mr Liversidge continued: “We want you to remain safe and have a great night celebrating the festivities. But don’t ruin your night by ending it in A&E and please remember we are not a taxi service. We regularly receive calls at this time of year from people who want a lift home, often because they haven’t left themselves enough money to get home themselves; that call could stop someone who genuinely requires an ambulance from being able to get through to us.”

Examples of medical emergencies include:

·         Chest pain;

·         Breathing difficulties;

·         Unconsciousness;

·         Severe loss of blood;

·         Severe burns;

·         Choking;

·         Fitting;

·         Drowning

·         Severe allergic reactions

Many GP surgeries offer extended opening hours and additional appointments. Find out which local pharmacies and GP practices are open over the Christmas and New Year.

http://www.urgentoremergency.co.uk/gp-opening-times 

Pharmacists can also provide expert, confidential advice and treatment for many common ailments and winter illnesses. 

If you’re unsure where to go for medical help, visit 111.nhs.uk to help reach the best NHS service for your health need.

The NHS app also offers the ability to book, cancel and track GP appointments, order repeat prescriptions, quickly check symptoms, and has access to NHS 111 online.