Windsor and Maidenhead ambulance trust sees surge in 999 calls amid cold snap

The NHS ambulance service operating in the Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire has warned of a stark rise in 999 calls as cold weather hits the Thames Valley.

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) received almost 20 per cent more 999 calls last week compared to the previous seven days.

The Christmas week saw 14,769 emergency calls made to the service and, as the cold weather continues, this had risen to 17,468 during the week (29 December to 4 January).

SCAS’ assistant director of operations for the Thames Valley Kirsten Willis-Drewett said some patients were waiting ‘significantly longer’ than 2-3 hours for ‘less urgent issues’.

Ms Willis-Drewett said arriving to hospital by ambulance ‘doesn’t mean you get seen quicker than other patients’ and urged people to ‘make their own way to hospital’ if they can.

SCAS said 999 calls should only be made for a ‘life-threatening or serious emergency’.

The service said it was prioritising calls made by the sickest and most injured patients, and the rising demand would be ‘felt most keenly by patients whose conditions are not serious’.

It added that more than half of the people who receive treatment by SCAS paramedics and ambulance crews are not then taken to hospital or another healthcare facility.

Ms Willis-Drewett said: “Whilst we aim to respond to less urgent issues within 2-3 hours, unfortunately for some patients over the last week, that wait time has been significantly longer.

"I would urge people who can make their own way to hospital or an urgent treatment centre to do so.

“Arriving by ambulance doesn't mean you get seen quicker than other patients, and a lift from a friend or a taxi may get you there sooner."

She added: "If you or someone you're with requires urgent, but not emergency help, please use 111.nhs.uk or call 111.

“Whichever route you take, you'll just need to answer a few questions about your main symptoms to get the information and advice you need.

“This could be directing you to the most appropriate local urgent healthcare service, or a call back from a doctor, nurse or paramedic."