East of England Ambulance Service urges caution over 999 calls amid ‘huge spike in demand’
The East of England Ambulance Service is urging people to think carefully about using 999 while the health system is experiencing a “huge spike in demand”.
The service moved to the highest escalation alert level on New Year’s Eve, in response to high demand across the region. This is in line with many other ambulance services across the country.
It received more than 39,000 calls between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day - described as an “unprecedented increase” of 7,500 calls compared to a typical eight-day period in the summer, leading to increased pressure at hospitals and longer waiting times for ambulances to hand over patients.
EEAST was expecting the weekend to be exceptionally busy and asked people to think before calling 999.
Neill Moloney, chief executive, said: “I urge the public to only call 999 if there is a life-threatening emergency.
“Many people will be treated more quickly by using 111, seeing their GP or making their own way to hospital. Arriving by ambulance will not mean you will be seen more quickly.
“Patients with immediately life-threatening conditions are our priority and those with less serious conditions may experience a delayed response.
“If it is safe to do so they should find alternative care. I apologise in advance to anyone who experiences delays.
“I would also like to express my thanks to our colleagues who are working tirelessly to keep people safe during this busy period. From those on the road, to our call handlers, dispatchers, support staff and Make Ready operatives, keeping our vehicles on the road.
“Their work is vital in ensuring our health system can deliver care to those who need it most.”
The move to operate at Resource Escalation Action Plan (REAP) Level 4 came after a sustained high volume of calls, a significant and sustained number of patients waiting to be handed over at hospitals, and in response to anticipated increased demand due to cold weather.
Moving to this level means the trust can take various actions to help ensure all clinicians are available to respond to calls.
To manage this increase in demand it has:
• Added 90 additional ambulances per day for the next week
• Increased staffing to frontline operations and emergency operations centres
• Redeployed some clinicians to frontline services
• Deployed clinicians with non-clinical drivers to see as many patients as possible
• Incentivised staff to work overtime shifts
• Utilised a clinical assessment service to triage calls and advise on the most appropriate care
•Worked with partners in unscheduled care hubs to use another pathway or providers for some calls
