THE Welsh Ambulance Service has issued a recent plea for the general public to make use of 999 responsibly as Christmas attracts close to.
Whereas the Christmas and New 12 months interval is mostly one of many busiest, new figures have revealed that final Christmas Day was truly the quietest day in December, prompting the Belief to recommend that folks behave in a different way on December twenty fifth from different days of the yr in terms of calling an ambulance.
The service took 1,374 calls by way of 999 final Christmas Day; nearly 500 calls fewer than on its busiest day, December 1st, when it had 1,847 calls.
Jason Killens, Chief Govt of the Welsh Ambulance Service, stated: “This implies to us that these individuals who would usually be tempted to name us inappropriately are busy opening presents and consuming lunch which suggests instantly their ‘emergency’ can wait.
“By Boxing Day, the calls have gone up. Generally it’s because persons are genuinely unwell, however usually it’s a results of overindulgence the day gone by.
“People who find themselves genuinely ailing don’t select when they’re unwell and, after all, we’re there for these sufferers 24/7, three hundred and sixty five days of the yr.
“Nevertheless, these individuals who use ambulance companies as an alternative choice to a GP appointment or as a result of they’ve a long-standing minor sickness or harm appear to make totally different selections on Christmas Day.
“It’s these individuals we’re asking to be wise and to make those self same selections each different day of the yr.
“Each day needs to be Christmas Day when you consider how you can use 999; it truly is that particular.”
Most GP surgical procedures will shut on Financial institution Holidays – together with Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New 12 months’s Day – so the Belief is urging individuals to take steps now to make sure they’re ready.
Lee Brooks, Director of Operations, added: “Calls to our ambulance service are triaged so as of precedence, so in case you’re not critically ailing or injured, you’ll wait longer for our assist.
“You additionally gained’t be seen any faster in emergency departments in case you arrive by ambulance as all sufferers are seen so as of medical precedence, not based on how or once they arrived within the division.
“Earlier than you dial 999, take into consideration the place else you would possibly be capable to entry the enable you want, faster.
“Nurses employed by the Welsh Ambulance Service are readily available 24/7, together with on Christmas Day, to offer you recommendation and data – name them on 0845 46 47, or on 111 if it’s accessible in your space.
“You may also go to www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk to take certainly one of 20+ symptom checkers, together with for chilly and flu, dental and abdomen ache, to obtain fast on-line recommendation about what to do subsequent.
“Don’t overlook about your pharmacist, optician and your native minor accidents unit, the place there is no such thing as a want for an appointment.
“Should you depend on medicines, ensure you have a large enough provide to see you thru, and stocking up on easy cures is a good suggestion too, together with for indigestion, headache and toothache.”
The Welsh Ambulance Service is asking on the general public to make use of its companies appropriately as a part of its new Be Smart Save Lives marketing campaign.
Observe the marketing campaign on social media utilizing the hashtag #BeWiseSaveLives
Editor’s Notes.
For extra info, please name Head of Communications Lois Hough on 01745 778671 or electronic mail Lois.Hough@wales.nhs.uk.
