Managing Director of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) Mr Martin Flaherty OBE, QAM said:
“The NHS ambulance sector is under intense pressure, with all ambulance services operating at the highest level of four within their local resource escalation action plans, normally only ever reserved for major incidents or short-term periods of unusual demand.
“Severe delays in ambulance crews being able to hand over their patients at many hospital emergency departments are having a very significant impact on the ambulance sector’s ability to respond to patients as quickly as we would like to, because our crews and vehicles are stuck outside those hospitals.
“Added to this, we have a number of staff absences due to a rise in Covid cases as well as additional pressure caused by the current hot weather, which is making things even tougher for our staff and of course the patients they are caring for.
“We are therefore asking the public to help the ambulance service during this difficult time by seeking alternative treatment or advice via NHS 111 online or by calling 111, visiting local urgent care centres or speaking to their GP or local pharmacist. During this very hot weather it is also important for people to stay hydrated, wear suncream and stay in the shade where possible.
“Ambulance services will continue to prioritise responses to those patients with life-threatening and serious emergencies but, due to the current levels of pressure, unfortunately there will inevitably continue to be delays in responding to other patients with less urgent needs who are assessed as requiring an ambulance response.
“We are also urging people not to call 999 back to ask about an estimated arrival time unless the patient’s condition has changed. This keeps the line free for someone who may need urgent assistance. For people calling 111, we are asking them not to hang up and call again as this will simply send them to the back of the queue.
“The ambulance sector remains committed to working with all parts of the health and social care system to try and eradicate hospital handover delays and the significant harm they are causing to patients, as well as the detrimental impact they are having on the wellbeing of our staff, our most important asset.”
