As the summer bank holiday weekend approaches, South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) is urging people to use 999 only in life-threatening emergencies and to take steps to keep healthy.

While the heatwave is over, the long weekend will still see a spike in calls for our 999 and NHS 111 operations.

So please help us to help you by following some simple steps to use our services wisely to help with the extra demand:

  • Only use 999 in life-threatening emergencies
  • Make sure you have enough medication to see you through the bank holiday weekend
  • Check on any vulnerable family or friends to make sure they are safe and have the medication that they need.

“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 calling 999 in the event of an emergency, people can help both SECAmb and the wider NHS manage demand,” said Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Lara Waywell.

Emergency 999 teams and their NHS 111 colleagues will be working hard across the 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.

“If it’s not a critical or life-threatening emergency, please consider other options. NHS 111 should be your first port of call if you’re unsure what to do or unsure which service you need,” said Lara.

“Please also check on any vulnerable family or friends ahead of the weekend to make sure they are safe and have the medication that they need.

“I would like to take this opportunity to 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