Sunday 14th December 2014 – 11.30am – Claire Brown.
The Trust is appealing for the public to support its local ambulance service by thinking carefully before dialling 999, after staff responded to more than 3,500 calls on Saturday making it the fourth busiest day for the Service on record.
Traditionally, our busiest day is New Years’ Eve and into New Years’ Day but yesterday saw call numbers rise to levels only normally seen after midnight on 31st December.
| Date | Calls |
| 1st January 2011 | 3,822 |
| 1st January 2013 | 3,754 |
| 1st January 2014 | 3,726 |
| 13th December 2014 | 3,550 |
| 17th December 2010 | 3,490 |
| 1st January 2010 | 3,466 |
| 1st January 2012 | 3,460 |
This increase not only puts pressure on our front-line staff responding to patients in ambulance vehicles, but it also sees our Emergency Operations Centre staff equally as busy answering calls and managing the high demand to ensure patient who need our help the most come first.
In addition to the huge pressure that the ambulance service us under, our colleagues in A&E departments around the region are equally as busy too.
Craig Cooke, Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer, said: “Our staff are working around the clock to respond to patients but we need the public’s help to ensure we’re preserving our ambulances and highly skilled staff for the people who need us the most.
“Many people who dial 999 could treat themselves at home or access advice from NHS 111 either online or over the phone. Equally, people should consider taking themselves to an NHS walk-in centre, pharmacist or a minor injuries unit. This would leave the ambulance service to deal with life threatening illness or injury such as chest pain, strokes, breathing difficulties, unconsciousness and severe blood loss.
“It’s continuing to be a busy weekend for the ambulance service, not only in the West Midlands but nationally too. I would like to thank all of our staff and many volunteers for their continued efforts.”
ENDS