Ambulance service prepares for busy Christmas

South East Coast Ambulance Service predicts it will handle about 90,000 calls in December

The ambulance service which covers Kent, Surrey and Sussex said it expects to handle 90,000 emergency calls as it prepares for a busy Christmas and New Year period.

South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) managers also said they expect to attend about 40,000 Category 1 and Category 2 999 calls – the two highest categories for the most seriously ill or injured patients.

Calls to the non-emergency 111 service are expected to increase to as high as 8,000 at peak days over Christmas and New Year, officials said.

The public is being asked to only dial 999 in an emergency and to make use of alternatives in other cases, including using NHS 111 Online for help and advice.

Secamb’s NHS 111 service is anticipating up to 3,500 a day during the week, to up to 5,000 a day at weekends.

Secamb executive director of Operations, Emma Williams, said: “We know that as we approach Christmas and New Year, we’ll see an increase demand.

"We also know that colder weather can lead to an increase in certain calls including slips and falls.

“The public can really help us be as available as possible for those who need us in an emergency by taking some time to think if they are prepared for winter and by making use of alternatives to calling 999 when it’s not an emergency."