Busy start to 2013 for West Midlands Ambulance Service
West Midlands Ambulance Service had a busy New Years’ Eve dealing with, on average, five 999 calls every 60 seconds.
During the last few hours of 2012, the number of 999 calls received by the service steadily increased towards midnight with 30 calls made in Shropshire. From 8pm to midnight, the Service received 638 calls across their service area. A 15% increase compared to the same period last year.
As revelers welcomed in 2013 the number of calls increased with the peak rate of calls between 1am and 4am, West Midlands Ambulance Service said a large proportion were for alcohol-related incidents including fights, assaults, falls and overdoses.
After midnight, the Trust saw demand on the ambulance service increase with an average of five 999 calls every 60 seconds:
In the first five hours of 2013, the service received 1291 calls; a 9% increase compared to the same period last year with 77 calls from Shropshire compared to 213 in Staffordshire and 32 in Herefordshire.
Chief Executive Anthony Marsh said: “It comes as no surprise to us that New Years’ Eve has been the busiest nights of the year for the Ambulance Service. It is a year in the planning for which as many staff as possible work through the night to ensure patient’s get help when they need it the most.
“The way in which the Service deals with this traditionally busy night is a tribute to all the staff and volunteers who work through the night, often without the chance of a break. I am very proud of my staff and volunteers who gave up their night to ensure the safety of everyone in the West Midlands, regardless of whether or not they spent the night celebrating the coming of the New Year.”
