Ambulance service braced for ‘busiest festive period’ ever

AMBULANCE bosses in Burnley are urging people not to call 999 unless there is a genuine medical emergency, as they face their busiest time of year.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Dec 2010, 08:05 BST

The weekend of December 10th and 11th saw an unprecedented amount of 999 calls – a level traditionally seen on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day – and health chiefs warned the service could be facing its busiest festive period to date.

Mr Derek Cartwright, director of emergency services for the North-West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: “We cannot stress enough the importance of keeping the 999 number free for genuine emergencies. When people are calling us for an aching knee, toothache or cut finger, life-threatening cases are also trying to get through and these are the people who need us the most.

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“Ambulance services should not be used as an alternative to GPs if a surgery is closed, or as a taxi service to the A&E unit – those who are able to seek treatment via other means should do so, and enable us to get to urgent cases as quickly as possible.”

People unsure about the treatment they need are urged to seek medical advice from NHS Direct.

Related topics:Ambulance serviceBurnleyPeople