Ambulance 999 calls soar during freezing weather as Storm Goretti to hit UK
During the freezing weather that gripped the UK, ambulance services saw an increase in 999 calls as paramedics prepared for more demand with the arrival of Storm Goretti.
While Arctic weather has plunged much of the country into sub-zero temperatures since the start of the year, temperatures in Norfolk have plummeted to -12.5; many northern regions were covered in heavy snow.
The hazardous conditions, which have caused major disruptions to transport services, have triggered yellow cold health alerts and a warning from health secretary Wes Streeting that hospitals are coming under intense pressure.
Now figures from ambulance services across the country have revealed tensions, with South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS), a trust, reporting a 19 per cent increase in 999 calls between December 29 and Sunday compared to the previous week. In other areas:
- London Ambulance Service, which received the most calls per week with 42,118 calls, saw an 8 per cent increase in calls
- East of England Ambulance Service up 13 per cent
- West Midlands Ambulance Service – up 10 per cent
- South East Coast Ambulance Service – up 5 per cent
- North East Ambulance Service – up 5 per cent
- North West Ambulance Service – up 4 per cent
- South Coast North West Ambulance Service – up 4 per cent
- Yorkshire Ambulance Service – up 3 per cent
The sudden increase in demand has put pressure on services that require patients to find their own way to the hospital or urgent care center, including driving with friends or hailing a taxi.
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East Midlands Ambulance, which could not give figures for the week but said it saw a 16 per cent increase in calls on New Year’s Eve compared to last year, received calls from a wide range of situations, including alcohol-related incidents and fireworks injuries.
The London Ambulance Service said it had seen an increase in calls about trips and falls due to cold weather and icy streets, as well as respiratory illnesses which cold weather can make worse.
The figures come as the country braces for more heavy snow, rain and wind, with Storm Goretti set to hit later this week. The storm, named by forecaster Meteo France, is expected to arrive from the southwest on Thursday.
A yellow warning for snow was issued for the Midlands and mid-Wales on Thursday, and a yellow warning for wind was issued in Cornwall. Four yellow weather warnings for snow and ice will be issued for other parts of the UK, including Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Midlands, on Thursday.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said: “As the rain pushes its way through and hits the cold air that we have now… and so in the northern end, we’re likely to see some pretty significant snow later tomorrow and into Friday.
The UK Health Safety Agency has also extended its yellow cold health warnings for England until Sunday, warning that adverse temperatures could affect health and wellbeing and the number of deaths could rise.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “The falling temperatures, ice and snow we are currently seeing are dangerous for older people, especially if they live with serious health problems or are generally frail.
“We would urge anyone in this situation to take extra care for themselves and the general public to look after older people who they know they can do with extra support.”
