East Midlands Ambulance Service received over a thousand emergency calls in the first seven hours of 2024
An ambulance service received 1,055 emergency calls in the first seven hours of 2024.
Over half of those calls received by East Midlands Ambulance Service were received by 3am.
The East Midlands 999 control room had taken nearly 560 emergency and urgent calls by that time.
Calls were for a variety of conditions including trips, falls and traumatic blood loss, in addition to injuries suffered because of too much alcohol.
There was a noticeable increase in these calls from 12.30am onwards.
Strategic commander, Greg Cox said: “As we head into the new year, we urge everyone to help us to help you, by supporting the NHS by accessing services wisely, whether that is through your pharmacy, your local GP, urgent care centre or calling NHS111 for advice.
“Our ambulances are for life-threatening medical emergencies, meaning someone who calls 999 with an urgent medical issue which is not posing an immediate risk to life may have to wait longer for an ambulance.
“This is because people experiencing a life-threatening emergency such as a cardiac arrest, where a patient isn’t conscious or breathing, need the life-saving equipment and people on board our vehicles first.
“I would like to take this opportunity to send my personal thanks to all our colleagues and volunteers, from the frontline and those behind the scenes, for continuing to work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.
“Crews in our emergency ambulances and fast response vehicles, volunteer responders and teams in our Emergency Operations Centres have worked fantastically over the first few hours of the year.
“Additionally, the support they have received from our mechanics, support staff and administration teams has been equally impressive.
“I wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy new year.”
The service asks people to only use 999 for urgent and immediate life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrest, suspected stroke, breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness and chest pain.
Help with less serious conditions is available from GP surgeries, pharmacies, Urgent Treatment Centres, visiting NHS111 online, or by visiting local walk-in centres.
