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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| North West Ambulance Service 999-call surge declared major incident | North West Ambulance Service 999-call surge declared major incident |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| NWAS asked people to "please bear with us" as demand for ambulances surged | NWAS asked people to "please bear with us" as demand for ambulances surged |
| North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) declared a major incident due to the high level of 999 calls on Monday. | |
| It said it was "exceptionally busy" and warned the public to only call if "their condition is life-threatening or potentially life threatening". | It said it was "exceptionally busy" and warned the public to only call if "their condition is life-threatening or potentially life threatening". |
| NWAS said it was unsure of the reason for the "sudden surge" - particularly in Greater Manchester - but said Covid-19 accounted for about 15% of calls. | |
| Shortly after 21:000 GMT calls had reduced towards normal levels. | |
| NWAS said it received more than 2,200 calls between midday and 20:00 GMT, a 36% increase on the same period last Monday. | |
| ⚠️We've declared a major incident due to the high level of calls. For enquiries relating to this incident, please follow us here/our Facebook page. ⚠️If your call is not life-threatening, you may be asked to seek an alternative source of care or make your way to hospital. pic.twitter.com/bEHYcKGg4e | ⚠️We've declared a major incident due to the high level of calls. For enquiries relating to this incident, please follow us here/our Facebook page. ⚠️If your call is not life-threatening, you may be asked to seek an alternative source of care or make your way to hospital. pic.twitter.com/bEHYcKGg4e |
| A statement on Facebook said: "You can help us reach the patients that urgently need our help by not calling 999 unless the condition is life-threatening or potentially life-threatening, not calling us to find out where your ambulance is or calling to cancel any ambulance that you no longer require or feel is necessary. | A statement on Facebook said: "You can help us reach the patients that urgently need our help by not calling 999 unless the condition is life-threatening or potentially life-threatening, not calling us to find out where your ambulance is or calling to cancel any ambulance that you no longer require or feel is necessary. |
| "We are trying our best to reach patients as soon as we possibly can and apologise for any delays in our response. Please bear with us." | "We are trying our best to reach patients as soon as we possibly can and apologise for any delays in our response. Please bear with us." |
| The NWAS branch of Unison tweeted: "Please help our crews by only calling if you really need us. | The NWAS branch of Unison tweeted: "Please help our crews by only calling if you really need us. |
| "They are being run ragged at the moment and they will get to you as soon as they can. Please consider using 111." | "They are being run ragged at the moment and they will get to you as soon as they can. Please consider using 111." |
| Staff had agreed to cancel breaks for two hours between 17:00 GMT and 19:00, the union said. | Staff had agreed to cancel breaks for two hours between 17:00 GMT and 19:00, the union said. |
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