Derbyshire’s ambulance service put under pressure by cold snap

Heavy snowfall and freezing conditions have led to thousands more calls than usual for Derbyshire’s ambulance service, it has been revealed.
EMAS is experiencing an increased demand this winter.EMAS is experiencing an increased demand this winter.
EMAS is experiencing an increased demand this winter.

East Midlands Ambulance Service has had to deal with 5,448 more calls over the festive season than in the same period last year, and chiefs are now urging patients across the county to be ‘999 wise’.

Between Thursday, December 25 and Sunday, December 28, EMAS reported receiving 11,712 calls in total, with 50 per cent of those callers being admitted to hospital.

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The remaining number of those callers were given treatment on scene, however EMAS claim that in some cases, it’s services were not used appropriately.

Pete Ripley, associate director of operations at EMAS, said: “Demand on our service continues to be significantly high, and this together with the challenging road conditions has made it very difficult for us to get to people quickly.

“To ensure we can continue to help those in the most need, we need the public’s support, particularly on New Year’s Day when we are preparing for even higher call levels.

“Please only dial 999 in genuine emergencies such as cardiac arrest and chest pain, unconscious or severe loss of blood.”

The service is expecting even more calls over the New Year period, with New Year’s Day historically being it’s busiest day of the year.