Another busy Christmas for West Midlands paramedics

More than 13-thousand emergency calls were made to West Midlands Ambulance Service over the festive weekend this year.

Between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day the Trust took no fewer than 13,274 calls, with more emergencies taking place on Tuesday.

The service received 4339 calls on Sunday 24, 4255 on Christmas Day, and 4680 yesterday (26 December).

Around 13,606 calls were made for the same dates in 2022 - another consistently busy few days for the staff working.

Bosses have thanked control room staff and paramedics who've been working hard the last few days to care for patients.

Trust Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: "I would like to thank the many thousands of staff who worked over the Christmas period while most people were enjoying time with their family and friends.

"It is not just the staff on the road who worked so hard; I want to particularly note the work of the staff in our control rooms. These staff are at the forefront of everything that we do, finding out where we are required but also what is wrong with the patient so that our ambulance crews know what they are going into.

"The task at hand for our call handlers and dispatchers is often just as difficult as that experienced by our road staff; they all work exceptionally hard.

"I also want to thank the staff who support these staff, be it the vehicle preparation operatives who clean, fuel and restock the ambulances; the fleet mechanics who make sure we always have ambulances available but also the managers who look after the staff - it is a real team effort."

People are being urged to continue to reduce pressure on emergency services, by only calling 999 in life-threatening situations.

The Trust has also said the public can play their part to support the NHS this winter by coming forward for their flu and Covid vaccines.

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