Demand remains high for ambulance service

South East Coast Ambulance Service answered more than 3,000 calls on Boxing Day and 3 calls every minute on New Year's Eve and Day.

Ambulance bosses have thanked staff and volunteers for their hard work and commitment over Christmas but have asked members of the public to use the service wisely as demand is expected to remain high.

The Trust’s NHS 111 service is also expecting a busy new year.

The Trust’s NHS 111 service is also expecting a busy new year. Calls to the service, which SECAmb provides across Sussex and Kent, are expected to typically reach 5,000 on peak days.s high as 8,000 on peak days.

SECAmb Chief Executive, Simon Weldon said: “I would like to every colleague who has worked so hard throughout the past 12 months to respond to the needs of our patients. Thank you to everyone who has spent time away from their family and friends to look after our communities over Christmas and New Year.

“I would also like to thank all our volunteers. They provide vital support, day-in, day-out, to our frontline teams, freely giving up their time to make their communities safer.

“I am certain that 2025 will see our teams, whatever their role across our organisation, continue to provide compassionate care to their local population.

“As a service, we will do everything we can to ensure we are providing the best possible care for our patients by working in close partnership with the wider NHS and partner organisations across our region.

SECAmb has a list of winter tips to help people keep themselves and others safe during the winter months.

SECAmb winter tips

• Take up the opportunity for flu and COVID-19 booster vaccinations when offered to protect yourself and others.
• Look out for any vulnerable family or friends – is there anything you can do to help them? Are there any hazards in their homes? Do their slippers need replacing?
• Wear appropriate shoes when outside especially during icy weather. We typically see an increase in slips and trips during colder spells
• Heat homes to at least 18C (65F). You might prefer your main living room to be slightly warmer
• Keep your bedroom at 18C all night if you can – and reduce drafts – if you’re under 65, healthy and active, you can safely have your home cooler than 18C, as long as you’re comfortable
• Keep active when you’re indoors. Try not to sit still for more than an hour or so
• Wear several layers of light clothes. They trap warm air better than one bulky layer
• Check your home medicines cabinet – is everything in date? Restock with essentials including cold remedies, pain killers, indigestion tablets and diarrhoea and constipation remedies
• Keep up to date with any repeat prescriptions you or your family or friends need – especially ahead of weekends and bank holidays
• When was the last time your vehicle was serviced? If your car is safer, so are you
• Carry some useful items in your vehicles such as a blanket and a spade for colder and possible snowy weather
• Wear bright colours at night. Can you be clearly seen as a pedestrian or cyclist? If walking at dusk or at night use a torch
• You should only call 999 in the event of a life-threatening or serious emergency
• People who are not facing a serious emergency should make alternative arrangements such seeking advice from a GP or pharmacist so we can focus on those who need us most. If its urgent but not an emergency you can call NHS 111 or seek advice from 111 online at 111.nhs.uk