South West's ambulance service responding to 3,000 emergency incidents a day
The trust is urging people to choose the right health care service amid an influx of visitors to Cornwall and Devon
Last updated 29th Aug 2021
The ambulance service that covers Cornwall is urging people to use the right health care service this Bank Holiday, as it continues to experience very high demand.
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is responding to around 3,000 emergency incidents per day, which is the equivalent of more than two new emergencies every minute.
Numbers are 15% higher than the same time last year, due to unprecedented high-level demand on NHS services in the South West.
Various factors are thought to be contributing to the rise in demand, including more people socialising and an increase in Covid-19 transmission rates in the community.
Cornwall and Devon have been designated 'Enhanced Response Areas' for Covid due to rising case rates which, in the Duchy, are currently over 800 per 100,000 people.
What is the scale of demand?
South Western Ambulance Service has seen unprecedented levels of demand in recent weeks.
Demand has been so high that SWASFT declared a 'critical incident' at the end of May.
The trust recorded its busiest week in history at the end of July, taking the equivalent of one emergency call every 26 seconds.
Earlier in August, South Western Ambulance Service announced it was drafting in a 'small number of military personnel' to help get vehicles back on the road.
A&E at the Royal Cornwall Hospital is so busy it was recently described as being 'like New Year every day', prompting Cornwall's health bosses to issue a joint letter laying bare the extreme surge in demand on our entire health care system which remains on its highest OPEL 4 alert level.
SWASFT says Bank Holiday weekends tend to generate more 999 calls to the Clinical Hubs, especially when the weather is warm and sunny, because more people go out and about and visit the region.
It is continuing to prioritise treating the most seriously injured and unwell patients and is reminding people only to call 999 in genuine, life-threatening emergencies, including patients who are unconscious, experiencing breathing difficulties, heavy bleeding, severe burns, or having a severe allergic reaction.
People should not ring back to ask for an estimated arrival time, and should only call back if the patient’s condition worsens or they no longer need an ambulance. This helps keep phone lines free for others in need.
When should I call 999?
999 call handler Ella said: “Before you ring 999, please think – is this a life-threatening emergency? Is someone completely unconscious that you can’t wake them up? Are they having significant difficulty breathing? Are they having an uncontrollable bleed? Do they have chest pain or stroke symptoms? If that’s the situation, please call us straight away and we will help you.
“If it’s not, please use one of the other NHS services, such as 111, to ensure the patient gets the most appropriate care, and to make sure we’re able to help other people in the South West who needs us".
Where else can I go for treatment?
Patients who need urgent medical help or advice are encouraged to visit 111.nhs.uk or to call 111, which is free and available 24/7. This will ensure they get the right care, and the ambulance service can focus on those most in need.
For ongoing or non-urgent medical concerns or if they need medicines, people should contact their local GP surgery or a local pharmacy.
Information on everything from live hospital waiting times to where else to go for treatment in Cornwall, including pharmacies and minor injury units, can be found on the NHS Kernow website.