THE ambulance services that has been called out 3,000 times a day has declared its first ever Critical Incident.
East Midlands Ambulance Service made the announcement for the first time in history.
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Due to a spike in patient needs, hospital pressures, and flooding, there has been a spike demand.
The service said it had to put out more ambulance resources yesterday than ever before.
The is a severe flooding warning in the east midlands and the service was called on average of 3,400 times a day.
The service said: “Declaring a critical incident includes a formal ask of partner services to take immediate action to help mitigate the risk for people in our communities, including rapid release of ambulances from hospital departments.
“We appreciate this will be challenging for hospital colleagues however, we need to ensure we have emergency ambulances available to respond to people waiting in the community where life is at threat.
“From the morning, local NHS Clinical Hubs to take Category 3 calls (see additional notes) from EMAS and provide support and/or a local alternative NHS pathway for these patient.
“This allows EMAS to focus on responding to Category 1 (life-threatening) and Category 2 (serious) calls.
“All Category 3 calls from NHS 111 receive a clinical validation from DHU Healthcare (the provider of 111 services) before it is sent for an ambulance.
“Like many across the NHS, EMAS colleagues have been working tirelessly to respond to patient need.
“All internal actions and options to mitigate risk have been exhausted; therefore, a critical incident has been called to ensure mutual aid to support delivery of emergency and urgent patient care.
“The public is asked to help by using NHS services wisely and by taking regular medication to manage long-term conditions.
“If your illness or injury is not immediately life-threatening, please seek alternative care via a pharmacy, urgent treatment centre, or general practitioner (including out of hours services) – visit the NHS website for services near you.
“Given the additional weather-related pressures being responded to by emergency services across the East Midlands, please act responsibly and do not take unnecessary risks.”
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