South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) is urging people to see in the new year safely by staying at home.
The service is continuing to experience very busy days and is working hard to respond to patients as quickly as possible. SECAmb is asking the public for its support in strictly following coronavirus guidance and restrictions to reduce the spread of the infection.
People are also urged to be sensible and bear in mind the impact their actions could have on the ambulance service and wider NHS.
SECAmb Director of Operations, Joe Garcia said: “The message we need people to follow is simple. Please stay at home. By doing this they will be helping us and themselves.
“We also urge people to be sensible. We understand some people may want to drink alcohol but ask that they also remember to have soft drinks and eat. It’s these small individual choices which put together with the population as a whole which will really help us and our emergency service and hospital colleagues.
“We continue to experience significant pressure and are working hard to reach everyone who needs us as quickly as possible. People must only call 999 in the event of a serious or life-threatening emergency and we ask them to use NHS 111 when it’s not as serious. Help is available online at 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111 if you can’t get online.”