East of England ambulance service moves to highest alert amid warning of 'outstanding' pressure

The East of England Ambulance Service has moved to the highest alert level in response to rising demand across the region this week.

The service said the move came after a "sustained high volume of calls" and a steep rise in the number of patients waiting outside hospitals.

It said: "Calls have risen to an unprecedented level , with increased pressure at hospitals leading to longer waiting times for ambulances to handover patients."

The trust, which covers Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, is the latest ambulance service to sound the alarm as winter pressures in the NHS reach crisis levels.

It has warned that New Year's Eve celebrations combined with colder weather on the way have prompted it to move to high alert.

It said the pressure meant clinicians had to prioritise those most in need – meaning some patients could face a long wait for an ambulance and should make their own way to the hospital if they can.

Moving to this level means the trust can take various actions, including ensuring all medics are available to respond to calls and deploying clinicians with non-clinical drivers to get as many vehicles out to see patients as possible.

The EEAST medical director Simon Walsh said: “There is an outstanding level of pressure on the whole health system in the East of England.

"We have seen a huge spike in demand, driven by an increase in respiratory illness, which means many of our hospitals are at capacity and our ambulance crews are stretched to the limit.

“What I urge the public to do is to think very carefully about using 999. If you have a medical emergency and need us, we will get to you, but there may be a delay."

The trust said many patients would be treated more quickly if they see their GP, use 111, or take themselves to hospital.

It added that arriving at a hospital by ambulance will not mean you will be seen any more quickly.

Mr Walsh said: “During periods of high demand for our services patients with urgent and immediately life-threatening conditions are our priority.

"Those with less serious conditions will be advised that there may be a delayed response or, if it is safe to do so, they should seek alternative care. We apologise in advance to anyone experiencing delays.”

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know