Only call 999 in emergencies to help ‘severe pressure’, ambulance chiefs urge
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Ambulance chiefs have urged people to only call 999 in the case of an emergency to help reduce pressure on services across the UK. The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) said teams are “under severe pressure” due to the time of year and high levels of Covid-19, norovirus and flu.
It comes as Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust in the West Midlands declared a critical incident due to increased numbers of patients seeking hospital care for respiratory illnesses. England’s top doctor said this flu season has the potential to be the worst ever experienced and warned the peak is yet to come.Anna Parry, managing director of the AACE, said: “All UK ambulance services are under severe pressure due to the winter period, and associated high levels of demand because of viruses such as Covid, flu and norovirus.
“We are asking the public to help us by only calling 999 in an emergency, using 111 for non-emergency health needs, and doing their best to be respectful to our people who are working hard to treat as many patients as possible at this busy time of year.”.
On Monday, the Welsh Ambulance Service also declared a critical incident, with its chief executive urging people to drink in moderation on New Year’s Eve to help reduce demand on resources. Jason Killens told BBC Breakfast: “People out celebrating can help us tonight by of course, having a good time, but drinking sensibly, eating before they go out and looking after their friends.”.
