East Midlands Ambulance Service receive over 1,222 calls to 999 service in first hours of 2023

The service covers Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire

Author: Julie CastonPublished 2nd Jan 2023
Last updated 2nd Jan 2023

East Midlands Ambulance Service received over 1,222 calls to it's 999 service in the first nine hours of 2023.

Usually this would be the highest of the whole year, but EMAS said throughout last year it's been seeing very high levels of demand which often exceeded the new years peak

It's asking us to look after our health and only call for an ambulance in a life threatening situation.

It's as revellers welcomed in the new year without restrictions for the first time in three years.

EMAS says "The demand on our ambulance service continues to be as a result of the wider healthcare system remaining under intense pressure."

Strategic Commander Richard Lyne said:

“Due to the unprecedented levels of demand our service has seen across the last year, the number of 999 calls received this morning were not actually outside the figures we would see on a normal day.

“As we go into 2023, we need each and every person in the East Midlands to play their part by being responsible for their own health and really considering which healthcare service they need before taking action.

“This will enable us to continue to focus on getting to those patients who really need us in a life-threatening emergency such as a cardiac arrest or experiencing a stroke.

“I would like to send my personal thanks to all our amazing staff who have worked hard to keep our communities safe this new year, and who I know will continue to do so over the next 364 days too. This includes crews in our emergency ambulances and fast response vehicles, those manning the city centre triage units, teams in our Emergency Operations Centres, our Patient Transport Service, our mechanics, support staff and administration teams, as well as all our volunteers too.

“In addition, I wish you all a Happy New Year."

The advice from EMAS is as follows:

Help with less serious conditions is available from GP surgeries, pharmacies, Urgent Treatment Centres, visiting NHS111 online, or by visiting local walk-in centres.

Please only use 999 for urgent and immediately life-threatening conditions, such as:

Cardiac arrest

Suspected strokes

Breathing difficulties

Loss of consciousness.

Hear all the latest news from across the East Midlands on the hour, every hour, on 106FM, DAB, at playgemradio.com, and on the Gem app.