South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) is urging people to use its services wisely to help with the demand faced by both its 999 and NHS 111 services across the four-day Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
SECAmb is expecting to handle some 10,000 calls to its 999 service and more than 20,000 calls to NHS 111 – a service it provides across Sussex, Kent and Medway.
Among those 20,000 calls to NHS 111, SECAmb is expecting to receive in the region of 1,200 potentially avoidable requests for repeat prescriptions.
By planning ahead, including ordering any required repeat prescriptions ahead of the bank holiday weekend, being aware of local pharmacy opening hours, as well as only dialing 999 in the event of an emergency, people can help both SECAmb and the wider NHS manage demand.
Those looking to get away for the Easter break are also urged to prepare for and plan their journeys, ensuring they bring supplies, including any medication from home they may require.
SECAmb is also asking people to check on any vulnerable family or friends throughout the weekend to make sure they are safe and have everything they need.
Emergency 999 teams and their NHS 111 colleagues will be working hard across weekend to respond and provide the public with the help they require. People are asked, if not facing an emergency, to make use of NHS 111 Online for urgent help and advice by visiting 111.nhs.uk.
SECAmb Chief Operating Officer, Jen Allan, said: “The long Easter bank holiday weekend can bring additional challenges to the ambulance service and we’re asking for the public’s help in minimising the impact it will have.
“One simple thing we’re asking everyone to do is to ensure they have their required amounts of any prescription medication they may need. Bank holidays are a key time where we receive calls relating to requests for repeat prescriptions. We know there may be occasions where things go wrong and we’re here to help with that but many of these calls could be avoided with some simple planning ahead.
“I’d also like to remind people, as ever, we will be there for people in an emergency if they call 999 but that there are other alternatives including calling NHS 111 or visiting NHS 111 online for help and advice.
“I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and happy Easter and thank all our staff and volunteers for their hard work in responding to patients throughout the weekend.”
When to call 999:
If you think a patient is suffering from one of the following
you must dial 999 for an ambulance:
- heart attack (e.g. chest pain for more than 15 minutes)
- sudden unexplained shortness of breath
- heavy bleeding
- unconsciousness (even if the patient has regained
consciousness) - traumatic back/spinal/neck pain
You should also call for an ambulance if:
- you think the patient’s illness or injury is
life-threatening - you think the illness or injury may become worse, or even
life-threatening on the way to the hospital - moving the patient/s without skilled people could cause further
injury - the patient needs the skills or equipment of the ambulance
service and its personnel