Monday 30th June 2014 – 11.30am – Murray MacGregor.
A combination of good planning, the heavens opening and the public heeding our warnings meant the weekend turned out to be very busy but not record breaking.
Over the three days, Friday to Sunday, the Trust dealt with 7,889 incidents, which was almost six percent up on last year. That is equivalent to over 145 incidents a day more than 2013.
Acting Emergency Services Director, Nathan Hudson, said: “Whilst not a record breaking weekend, no-one should be in any doubt as to just how busy it was. Saturday night, in particular, was horrendously busy at points which is probably down to it being a pay day weekend.
“Being able to perform at the high levels we did, despite the continued high levels of demand is down to good planning and the exceptional hard work of our staff in often very difficult circumstances.
“I would also like to thank the public for their assistance. It is absolutely vital that the public use the ambulance service sensibly so that we can get to the people that really need our help quickly and save lives.
“By using self-care, advice from a pharmacist, minor injury units / walk in centres, GP services both in hours and out of hours and the 111 service will ensure patients get the treatment that they need, in the right place and at the right time.
“Although we have got through this weekend, there is no sign the level of demand shows any sign of reducing and it is still considerably above what we would expect to see at this time of year.
“As a result, we will be ensuring that we do everything we can to prepare for every eventuality and we would ask the public to do likewise.”
Note to Editors
- Incidents attended in 2014: 7,889
- Incidents attended in 2013: 7,450
- Difference: 439
Ends