London Ambulance Service Has Busiest Year Ever
In December alone the London Ambulance Service answered 200,919 calls to 999 and 205,476 calls to 111 - their fourth busiest month ever. Despite the high number of calls, they continue to work hard to keep response times to a minimum, and they were the best performing ambulance service in England for responding to category 1 calls within the allotted seven minutes.
Medics Emma and Troy were recently on ITV London News talking about the pressure facing the Service and the impact COVID-19 has had on staff and volunteers over the past two years. Director of Operations Brian Jordan was also interviewed where he highlighted the unprecedented number of calls received in 2021, with the service receiving a 999 call every four seconds at peak times.
How Can You Help?
It’s important that Londoners use the 999 service wisely: only calling when it’s a serious medical emergency and if someone’s life is at risk. This is particularly important when the London Ambulance Service – and other parts of the NHS – are very busy. The team must prioritise speaking to and responding to the most seriously ill and injured patients. If it’s urgent, but it’s not a serious medical emergency, please consider other options.
You can get support for urgent medical worries by going to NHS 111 online. This should also be your first port of call if you’re unsure what to do. Don’t forget GPs and pharmacies can also help. Speak to a pharmacist for advice on medicines or common problems like coughs, colds and rashes.
About London Ambulance Service
London Ambulance Service answers more 999 and 111 calls than any other ambulance service in the UK. Crews go to more than 3000 emergencies a day and handle over two million 999 calls a year.
The 24-hour 111 integrated urgent care services in north east and south east London answer more than 1.2million calls a year.
They are the only NHS provider trust to serve the whole of London and the nine million people who live in, work in or visit the city. They cover an area of 620sq miles and the average response time to the most serious emergencies is less than seven minutes.
There are 8000 people who work or volunteer for the service and together they are striving to ensure patients receive the right response, in the right place, at the right time.
The service works closely with NHS partners and plays a leading role in integrating access to emergency and urgent care in the capital.
Their collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Service, London Fire Brigade, London’s Air Ambulance and London’s Resilience Forums means they are ready and prepared to respond to major incidents; and ensure Londoners are kept safe.
By integrating the 999 and 111 services they are able to treat more patients over the phone; in their home; or refer them to appropriate care in their own community. This is key in trying to reduce the number of unnecessary trips to hospital; and should mean 122,000 fewer patients a year being taken to emergency departments.
