South Western Ambulance Service declare critical incident

The South Western Ambulance Service has declared a 'critical incident' across the region.

The call was made by SWASFT on Wednesday following "extreme demand" on the service - affecting its ability to treat patients.

At 11:30am, there were 482 patients waiting for ambulances across the South West, with 106 patients awaiting handover at hospitals across the region too - and just over five hours later, the critical incident was declared on their social media page,

SWASFT’s Deputy Director of Operations, Wayne Darch, said: “Please help us to help the patients who need us most by only calling 999 if a patient has a life-threatening condition or illness.

"If the condition of a patient is not life-threatening we may direct them to an alternative service. So please help us by accessing the right service for the care you need.

“We are doing all we can to manage these winter pressures and we are sorry that we are unable to respond to some patients as quickly as we would like. We will get to you as soon as we can.

“Please do not call back simply to ask for an estimated time of arrival of an ambulance. We cannot provide one, and it blocks our lines for other callers.

“I’d like to reiterate SWASFT’s thanks to our people and all our NHS partners working to deliver the best possible care they can for patients over the festive period.”

If you need help, there are things to do, with the South Western Ambulance Service advising us to do these things, if it is not a life threatening emergency:

• Visit NHS 111 Online for self care advice - https://111.nhs.uk/
• Visit your local pharmacy if you are suffering from symptoms such as headaches, upset stomachs, aches and pains
• Call your GP if you're suffering from persistent symptoms that won't go away
• Attend your local minor injuries unit for urgent, but non-life threatening conditions.

You can always call 999, but in the Critical Incident, only for life-threatening emergencies such as cardiac arrest, loss of consciousness, fits that aren’t stopping, chest pain, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding, severe allergic reactions, suspected stroke and serious head injuries.

You can read more about the Trust here.

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• south western ambulance service