London Ambulance Service Reports Record 999 Calls for Serious Injuries

In December, LAS faced a record number of 999 calls for serious injuries, highlighting winter challenges.

London Ambulance Service Reports Record 999 Calls for Serious Injuries
London Ambulance Service Reports Record 999 Calls for Serious Injuries

London: The London Ambulance Service (LAS) just reported a record number of 999 calls for serious injuries last month. It’s a big deal, and they shared the news on Thursday.

With the flu and other seasonal bugs going around, paramedics and call handlers are really feeling the heat this winter. They’ve been super busy!

In December alone, crews responded to over 16,000 urgent calls, which is a lot. It’s actually the third busiest December they’ve ever had.

Overall, it was the seventh busiest month in LAS history, with call volumes hitting 92% of what they saw back in March 2020 during the pandemic.

And guess what? The first week of January saw a 20% increase in demand compared to last year. That’s a lot of calls!

The LAS mentioned that a mix of factors is driving this surge. We’re talking about more respiratory and stomach viruses, cold weather, and all the holiday festivities.

As Christmas approached, they noticed breathing issues spiked by 30% compared to last year, and cardiac arrests went up by 20%. That’s pretty concerning.

Daniel Elkeles, the Chief Executive of LAS, said this winter is really tough. But he reassured everyone that they’re doing their best to care for Londoners, even with the high demand.

He mentioned they’ve made some changes to improve response times, like increasing staff in ambulances and control rooms, and treating more patients over the phone.

Still, he acknowledged that response times aren’t where they should be, and they’re sorry for those who had to wait too long.

They’re working hard with partners across London to provide the best care possible during these winter months.

Londoners are being reminded to use the 999 service wisely and only call for serious emergencies.

On top of that, new data from NHS England shows more people are in hospitals with flu than at any point last year. Right now, about 600 people are hospitalized with flu, which is 20% more than last year’s peak.

Flu cases are expected to keep rising as folks start mingling again after the holidays.

Karen Bonner, London’s top NHS nurse, is urging everyone eligible to get their flu shot. She said it’s crucial, especially with the cold weather sticking around.

She emphasized that getting vaccinated not only protects you but also helps the NHS manage the increased demand during winter.

Her warning comes as NHS hospitals are under serious pressure due to the flu spike and dropping temperatures. Some trusts have even declared critical incidents recently.

Others are bringing back mandatory face coverings to help stop the spread of respiratory viruses. It’s a tough time for everyone!

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Mangesh Wakchaure is a veteran writer working at London Lens, focusing on foreign news coverage on a range of topics.