Ambulance services asking for help this winter
South Western Ambulance Service is urging communities to use the service responsibly.
The trust is preparing for a challenging winter.
As temperatures drop, cases of flu and other respiratory illnesses are expected to rise.
This will add to existing pressure on ambulance services.
The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust has outlined three key measures people can take to help reduce delays:
- Only call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life may be at risk.
- If you are waiting for an ambulance do not call 999 back. Unless the patient's condition has deteriorated or you no longer need an ambulance.
- For non life threatening emergencies contact NHS 111, your GP, or a pharmacist
Wayne Darch, Deputy Director of Operations there, said:
"We would ask that people enjoy the festive period but to do so responsibly.
"And where they have existing health conditions that require medication, that they have sufficient access to that medication."
He also said:
"We've increased the number of operational ambulance hours available to us from 37,000 a week in 2020 to over 52,000 this winter."