Mad Friday: Ambulance service received 100 calls an hour

Between 11pm on Friday and 7am on Saturday EMAS received around 700, 999 calls, ranging from alcohol related injuries to slips trips and falls.

Whilst demand wasn’t as high as the weekend before the number of calls was higher than an average Friday evening with approximately 100 calls an hour.

Greg Cox, general manager said: “I’d like to pay tribute to everyone who works on the frontline –those answering 999 calls in our emergency operations centres, our team of nurses and paramedics in our Clinical Assessment Team who give advice to callers and our clinicians out on the road providing medical treatment and care.

“We also value the assistance given by our Community First Responders, the British Red Cross, St John Ambulance and EMICS (East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme doctors), all of whom help us to provide the very best possible service.

“My thanks go to all of them for their continued dedication and support. Whilst most members of the public are celebrating the festivities, these people were hard at work doing a really great job in challenging circumstances.

“We expect to continue to receive significant call numbers over the next few weeks especially if the weather deteriorates. That’s why I’d urge people to be #999wise and to be aware of the options available for the treatment of minor illnesses or injuries rather than calling for an ambulance.”