Paramedics’ breaks cut to meet demand

Ambulance service saw over 2,500 999 calls

EAST Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) had to declare a critical “incident” as it was swamped with calls just hours into 2017.

By the end of New Year’s Day, the service had taken 3,038 calls - a third more than usual.

Staff meal breaks had to be cut in a bid to get to the thousands of calls.

Within the first six hours of 2017, EMAS had taken 1,153 emergency and urgent calls.

This compares to 1,099 during the same time on New Year’s Day 2016.

Calls were for a variety of problems including alcohol related illness or injury, falls, breathing problems and road traffic accidents.

To try and deal with the huge increase in demand several temporary treatment centres were opened across the East Midlands.

There was no let up during the day and at 5.30pm bosses decided to declare an incident which meant it could provide extra support to cope with the numbers calling for help.

Staff meal breaks were cut from 45 to 20 minutes to make sure as many ambulances as possible were on the road.

A spokesman said: “While far from ideal, this allowed us to have more colleagues and vehicles available during the unprecedented circumstances.

“The action taken did alleviate the pressure and at 9pm the incident was de-escalated and normal staff meal arrangements resumed.

“We are sorry for the delays experienced by some of our patients and that we were not able to provide the service that we endeavour to.”

The increase in calls came despite earlier appeals from managers at EMAS, which covers Leicestershire and Rutland along with Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire, urging people to seek advice from NHS 111, their GP or pharmacist and to break only call 999 in a life threatening emergency.

The public were also advised to moderate drinking and stay safe.

During the incident calls contined to be prioritised with those reporting life threatening conditions being treated as top priorities.

Those with less serios conditions were urged to seek nonemergency treatment.

Richard Henderson, EMAS chief executive, said: “Thank you to our colleagues and volunteers for all their continued efforts in delivering the best possible patient care over the festive period and throughout the whole year - it is greatly appreciated.”

A de-brief will begin this week to review the EMAS response to the increase in demand and see what further measures can be taken in the future.