Kent’s ambulance service has declared a “critical incident” after paramedics, call handlers, and other staff have faced more than a week of “sustained pressure”. It comes as higher than expected demand has “significantly impacted” the already stretched first responders in the run-up to Christmas.
South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) announced on 20th December that both 999 and 111 services have been impacted by the increased demand. As a result, SECAmb said its ability to respond to patients has been affected.
The critical incident was first declared on the evening of 19th December and the service said it will keep the situation under close review.
A spokesperson said: “Declaring a critical incident provides us with additional oversight and enables us to explore options including mutual aid, while focusing all efforts on frontline patient care.”
They added: “SECAmb took a decision yesterday evening (Monday, December 19) to declare a critical incident. This decision was taken following a period of more than a week of sustained pressure across both our 999 and 111 services, which has significantly impacted on our ability to respond to patients.”
Long waits for ambulances after an emergency 999 call have become a regular occurrence
The service thanks its staff and volunteers for their hard work and commitment in recent days in what it described as “extremely challenging circumstances”. SECAmb urged the public to still call 999 in life-threatening emergencies and said it prioritises its response to the most seriously ill and injured patients.
Meanwhile, NHS England says emergency care will continue to be provided but patient safety cannot be guaranteed during today’s strike by ambulance workers in England and Wales, health bosses have warned.
People are being asked to use services “wisely” and only call 999 in a life-threatening emergency – with 111 online the first port of call. Ambulance response times are already twice as long as two years ago and there is a huge strain on A&Es.
MPs have urged the public to take extra care and suggested they avoid contact sports and unnecessary car journeys.
Because you always plan when you are going to have an accident!
