Public asked to only use 999 in life-threatening emergency after East of England Ambulance Service moves to highest escalation alert level

The public is being asked to only call 999 if there is a life-threatening emergency due to a huge spike in demand.

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) has received more than 39,000 calls between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day - 7,500 more compared to a typical eight-day period in the summer.

On Wednesday, the trust moved to the highest escalation alert level following a high number of calls, a significant number of patients waiting to be handed over at hospitals and an increased demand due to the cold weather.

The trust is now asking the public to think carefully about using the emergency number.

Neil Moloney, chief executive at EEAST, said: “Many people will be treated more quickly by using 111, seeing their GP or making their own way to hospital.

“Arriving by ambulance will not mean you will be seem more quickly.

“Patients with immediately life-threatening conditions are our priority and those with less serious conditions may experience a delayed response.

“If it is safe to do so they should find alternative care. I apologise in advance to anyone who experiences delays.”

EEAST is expecting the coming weekend to be exceptionally busy.

The move to operate at Resource Escalation Action Plan (REAP) Level 4 means the trust can take various actions to help ensure all clinicians are available to respond to calls.

It includes having 90 additional ambulances per day for the next week, increased staffing at the frontline operations and emergency operation centres.