Spike in 999 ambulance calls as cold weather hits

6 days ago

Nathan BriantSouth of England

News image — Cold weather has hit much of the country over the past week (library image)

PA Media A yellow ambulance with its blue emergency lights on is driving along a snowy road. The grey tarmac is only peeking through where other cars have driven along it. — Cold weather has hit much of the country over the past week (library image)

An ambulance service has seen nearly a fifth more calls to its 999 control room since the cold spell arrived last week.

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) said it received nearly 17,500 calls between 29 December and Sunday, a 19% increase on the week before.

It said it needed to prioritise the sickest patients, meaning the impact of the increased demand was on those whose conditions were not serious or life-threatening.

Kirsten Willis-Drewett, assistant director of operations for Thames Valley at SCAS, said: "Whilst we aim to respond to less urgent issues within two to three hours, unfortunately for some patients over the last week, that wait time has been significantly longer."

SCAS Kirsten Willis-Drewett is wearing her ambulance uniform and is stood in front of a couple of cars. She is wearing glasses and has short, blonde hair. — Kirsten Willis-Drewett urged people to consider alternatives to calling an ambulance if possible

She added: "I would urge people who can make their own way to hospital or an urgent treatment centre to do so.

"Arriving by ambulance doesn't mean you get seen quicker than other patients, and a lift from a friend or a taxi may get you there sooner."

People served by SCAS, which covers Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire and Buckinghamshire, who do not need urgent or emergency help are asked to call 111 or use 111.nhs.uk.

"Whichever route you take, you'll just need to answer a few questions about your main symptoms to get the information and advice you need," Willis-Drewett said.

"This could be directing you to the most appropriate local urgent healthcare service, or a call back from a doctor, nurse or paramedic."