Hot weather leads to significant increase in Welsh Ambulance call-outs
The NHS Trust says delays at hospitals were also part of the problem yesterday (19 July)
The Welsh Ambulance Service has revealed that hot weather contributed to "extreme" pressures on its services.
The NHS Trust declared a rare "business continuity incident" yesterday (19 July) to help deal with the increased demand, meaning extra measures were put in place.
The number of immediately life-threatening calls was up 30% on last Monday, and up 175% on the same Monday last year.
Overall, incidents were 9% higher than predicted.
Special arrangements put in place
Special measures were put in place to try and deal with the demand, including asking some patients to make alternative arrangements, or make their own way to hospital.
21% of calls were categorised as lower priority, and were therefore dealt with by NHS 111 Wales.
However, some patients were still waiting hours for treatment, and at one point, the demand overtook capacity to operate safely.
Officials say as well as a high volume of calls, issues were also caused by delays at hospitals. It comes as Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has urged people to avoid A & E if they can.
Director of Operations Lee Brooks said: “It’s very rare that we declare a business continuity incident and it’s not a decision that we take lightly – it’s a sign of a serious situation.
“Yesterday’s heat coupled with the delays at hospitals meant we reached a point in the early evening where demand actually overtook our capacity to respond in a safe and timely way.
“For anyone who had an excessive wait for an ambulance yesterday, we are very sorry for your experience and this is not the service we want to provide.
"We need the public's help"
“While we’re in a more stable position today, we’re still experiencing extreme pressures right across Wales, and we need the public’s help.
“Please only call 999 if a life is on the line – that’s a cardiac arrest, chest pain or breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness, choking or catastrophic bleeding.
“If it’s not a life-threatening emergency, then it’s important that you use of the many alternatives to 999, starting with the symptom checkers on our NHS 111 Wales website as well as your GP, pharmacist and Minor Injuries Unit.”
Lee added his thanks to staff and volunteers across the service.
He added: “Our staff and volunteers in every corner of Wales and in every part of our service are working flat out to deliver the best service we can to people in Wales in very difficult conditions.
“I’d like to extend a huge thank you to colleagues for the immense collective effort.”