Yorkshire Ambulance Service urging people to use them wisely
People on the Yorkshire Coast are being urged to help ease the pressure on ambulance crews.
People on the Yorkshire Coast are being urged to help ease the pressure on ambulance crews.
Bosses say the service should be used wisely, after its staff have battled through a challenging year which saw four team members lose their lives.
Nick Smith, Director of Operations at Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said:
"I just think it's really, really important that people really take heed of the advice that's been given and really follow the safe distancing. We're under pressure, the hospitals are really under pressure across Yorkshire and the Humber. People really need to take responsibility and follow the rules that's there to make sure they keep themselves safe.
"Any situation such as chest pains, difficulty breathing or signs of stroke, all those series conditions don't think twice and call 999. What we're asking for is people to think first of all 'is the illness or injury I've got can it be dealt with in a different way? If there's any doubt then ring 999 but really, what we're saying is use us wisely.
"I think our staff has found this year tiring and working with PPE can be physically draining as well. As for morale our staff are in good spirits and with patients too but everybody is starting to feel tired."