Use 999 wisely in busy period - Ambulance service

South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) received three calls a minute at times over the festive break

Ambulance services received three calls every minute at peak times on New Year's Eve and Day in the South East.

South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) has urged the public to avoid calling 999 unless their problem is serious or life-threatening after a busy festive period.

It said demand is expected to remain high and could reach up to 8,000 calls on peak days.

Call handlers took 3,000 999 calls on Boxing Day and a further 6,000 on 28 and 29 December, said SECAmb.

Patients have been urged to use alternative services such as NHS 111 or speaking to a pharmacist for less serious complaints.

The ambulance service thanked staff and volunteers for their hard work across the festive period.

SECAmb chief executive Simon Weldon said: "I am certain that 2025 will see our teams, whatever their role across our organisation, continue to provide compassionate care to their local population."