Ambulance Trust gears up for busy Christmas

SOUTH East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust (SECAmb) is gearing up for one of the busiest times of the year in the run up to Christmas.

Last December the Trust received an average of 1,336 calls a day. This was a five per cent increase on the 1,267 calls received daily in November 2006.

The Trust also sees a significant increase in the number of calls from people who have suffered a fall. On average it receives 11% more calls relating to falls at this time of year.This is often the result of more people being out and about as well as icy and wet conditions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Trust plans for this yearly increase in demand by ensuring that there are extra vehicles and clinicians available.

However, many calls that are received over the Christmas and winter period could be prevented by people taking some very simple steps both in the home and while they are out.

Clinical director, Andy Newton, said: "This is a very busy time for the service and although we plan for this by having additional staff and vehicles available, we would to like to offer the public some practical advice so they can hopefully enjoy a safe Christmas.

"Simple measures such as wearing a few thin layers of clothing to keep warm, or stocking your medicine cabinet can help prevent some of the more common calls we receive at this time of year."

Measures which the public can take include:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the weather getting colder wear a few thin layers when you go out so they can easily be removed as you warm up or enter warm shops or buildings. A few thin layers will also keep you warmer than one or two thick layers.

If it is icy or wet outside take extra care, especially when walking or driving. Leave yourself longer to get where you need to be and if you are walking, wear shoes that have a grip rather than smooth soles.

With many shops and pharmacies closed over Christmas, stock up your medicine cabinet in advance. Items such as cold remedies, pain killers, indigestion tablets, diarrhoea or constipation remedies and plasters are useful to have in the home all year round.

If you take regular or prescription medications make sure that you have a large enough supply to keep you going over the Christmas period '“ and remember to keep taking them!

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Make sure that you know in advance the telephone number for your local out-of-hours doctor and dentist. Your local surgery or regular dentist should be able to provide you with this information.

Keep the number for NHS Direct handy: 08 45 46 47. They can give advice about treatment in the home. There is also a website you can use: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk.

Enjoy yourself and the festivities but please remember to drink sensibly and responsibly. In most cases, excessive alcohol consumption on its own is not a reason to call an ambulance. However, if an intoxicated person appears to have another complaint that gives cause for concern, or they lose consciousness and cannot be roused, please call for an ambulance without delay.