Ambulance Service Appeals for Responsible Partying to Alleviate Holiday Strain

An ambulance service has called on the public to celebrate responsibly, aiming to prevent additional strain on its personnel during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festivities. South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) indicated it is experiencing “significant pressure” and stated its appeal is intended to allow it to prioritize individuals with emergency medical needs. The service pointed out that excessive alcohol consumption results in “entirely avoidable” ambulance dispatches. It further stated, “Anything members of the public can do to help prevent avoidable emergencies will make a real difference to demand on the 999 service.” Mark Ainsworth, who serves as the director of operations at SCAS, commented: “The last few weeks have been extremely busy for our staff and we really need the public’s help.” He continued, “If you drink yourself into unconsciousness this can lead to an entirely avoidable emergency ambulance call-out.” Ainsworth further explained, “Every ambulance sent to someone who has drunk too much and needs medical assistance means we might not have a crew immediately available for someone who is critically ill or injured.” In October, the service had previously issued a warning about extended waiting times occurring earlier in the year compared to typical patterns. SCAS had declared a critical incident in January, at which time 70% of individuals contacting the 999 service were evaluated as having serious medical conditions, leading to delays and placing the service under significant strain. The service provides emergency coverage across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, and Oxfordshire. BBC Oxfordshire can be followed on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites. Details regarding its approach to external linking are available.