A CALL EVERY MINUTE FOR AMBULANCE CREWS

Ambulance crews across Sussex dealt with almost 1,700 emergency calls during the New Year period - an increase of 13% on last year, making this one of the busiest New Year periods ever for Sussex Ambulance Service.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Jan 2006, 16:04 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 22:39 BST

A total of 1,694 999 calls were received in the Control Centre in Lewes during 31st December and 1st January, compared to 1,493 last year. The pressure was at its greatest between 10pm on New Year's Eve and 3am on New Year's Day, with a record 384 calls received - equivalent to more than a call every minute. This saw an increase of a staggering 35% over the same period last year.

Fifteen additional ambulance crews were on duty during the New Year period, as well as ambulance officers who responded to emergency calls as needed. Staff dealt with patients with a wide range of conditions; many were drink-related but there was also many non drink-related incidents, including a baby born at home in West Sussex in the early hours of New Years Day.

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Control Centre Manager Sue Skelton said: "This is one of the busiest New Year periods our staff can remember. As always, staff both in the Control Centre and out on the road coped extremely well with the increased pressure. Despite being extremely busy, we were still able to prioritise our response to ensure we reached those who needed us most as quickly as possible."

Related topics:West Sussex