‘Look after yourself, take care and use 999 wisely’ – London Ambulance Service appeals to Londoners as festive celebrations ramp up

Londoners are being urged to celebrate safely, look after themselves and only use 999 in serious medical emergencies as the country’s busiest ambulance service prepares for further increases in alcohol-related calls.

London Ambulance Service has been extraordinarily busy in recent weeks, but  tonight (Thursday 19 December) demand for ambulances is expected to be particularly high as people celebrate with friends and work colleagues ahead of the ‘Christmas getaway’, which driving organisation the AA warns will start on Friday.

Darren Farmer, Director of Ambulance Services, said: “The winter period is always busy for us – especially towards the end of the week and at weekends. This month, 999 calls for all emergencies are up around six per cent on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights compared with the same period in Spring.

“However, in the past few weeks, we have seen a rise in alcohol-related incidents at the end of the week of up to 38 per cent which clearly shows the impact Christmas celebrations are having on our services.”

As the capital gears up to celebrate Christmas and New Year with friends, family and colleagues – London Ambulance Service has already seen demand rising to levels usually only seen on New Year’s Eve with more than 7,000 calls taken in one day recently.

Chief Paramedic Pauline Cranmer said: “We are seeing around 600 alcohol-related incidents every week – which includes people passing out, injuring themselves and becoming violently unwell. These incidents are entirely avoidable, but they take up our resources and our crew’s vital time.

“Patients who have collapsed or are unconscious because of alcohol usually get a priority response, but this means other critically ill patients may be left waiting for an ambulance. Our message to Londoners is to have a good time, but drink responsibly.”

“Our key message to those who are planning to enjoy the festive season with alcohol is to eat before they consume alcohol, remember to pace their drinking and always plan their journey home ahead of consuming alcohol.”

As a result of this increase in demand, the Service has moved to its highest level of escalation Resource Escalation Plan 4 (REAP 4) – indicating ‘extreme pressure’ on the Service.

People going out will be reminded to dress for the weather, eat before drinking alcohol, and plan their journeys so they can get home safely.

This message will be shared with users of the capital’s Transport for London network with the voices of London Ambulance Service staff ringing out across the travel network urging millions of Londoners to take care as they travel.

One of the voices featured will be Advanced Paramedic Greg Browne.

He said: “This is such a great campaign and I’m proud to be part of it. This time of year sees a lot of additional pressure on the Service with people going out to Christmas parties and more, so it is extremely important to get that message out there calling on people to take care and be safe. The festive season is a very busy time for London Ambulance Service so while we always want people to call when they need us, we ask that you take care to reduce avoidable accidents.”