South East Coast Ambulance Service issues New Year’s Eve plea

Ms Williams thanked staff and volunteers for working over the New Year's period

An ambulance service has urged people to celebrate "sensibly" on New Year's Eve and only call 999 in emergencies.

South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb), which covers Sussex, Kent, Surrey and North East Hampshire, said it faced increased pressure this month.

It urged people to help manage demand and call 111 if the situation was not serious, to ensure ambulances were free for "unavoidable emergencies".

Secamb expects around 1,000 calls to 999 on New Year's Eve.

Emma Williams, executive director of operations for Secamb said: "We will be doing everything we can to provide the help people need while prioritising our most seriously ill and injured patients."

'High pressure'

The service has asked anyone celebrating New Year's Eve to plan their evenings, including getting home, and to look out for others.

Ms Williams said people need to understand "the impact their decisions can have on an already busy ambulance service".

Over the festive season, the service faces periods of "high pressure", Ms Williams added.

The service advices that 999 should be called in the instance of a heart attack, sudden unexplained shortness of breath, heavy bleeding, unconsciousness or traumatic back, spinal or neck pain.

An ambulance should also be called if someone's condition is life-threatening, could become worse on the way to hospital, or if they need the skills and equipment of the ambulance service.

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].