The North East Ambulance Service is urging people across the region to plan and to use services wisely ahead of the Jubilee bank holiday.
As the service prepares for the busy four-day bank holiday, the public are reminded to check that they have enough medication and order more if needed as soon as possible.
Over the first May bank holiday weekend, North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) received an additional 206 calls for medication, amounting to a 120% increase in calls of this nature compared to a normal week.
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At a time when the service is already busy, such calls place additional demands on 111, resulting in call delays for patients requiring urgent, but not life-threatening medical advice.
Chris Dawson, deputy chief operation officer for the trust’s three emergency operations centres, said: “We encourage everyone to think ahead so that our 111 service can answer calls quickly and efficiently, ensuring you have enough medication to see you through over the bank holiday weekend, and trying alternative means of seeking help.
"As always, it’s crucially important that we’re able to keep 999 free for life-threatening emergencies only. For anything urgent, but not life-threatening, our 111 health advisors will be ready to take your call. However, 111 online is often able to answer your question, and many pharmacies will be open throughout the bank holiday.”
Deputy chief operating officer for operations, Victoria Court, added: “NEAS colleagues will be working hard to look after patients over the Jubilee weekend, but we ask in return that members of the public treat them with the respect they deserve.
“Assaults on our staff have been known to increase over Bank Holiday weekends, often as a result of increased drinking. Events such as a Platinum Jubilee are incredibly rare, and we want everyone – including our staff – to be able to enjoy the weekend. If you’re out over the weekend, please look after yourselves and those around you, and remember our staff are here to help you, not to be abused.
“The Alcohol Reception Centre will also be in operation on St Nicholas’ Street in Newcastle city centre from 9.30pm until 4.30am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, for those who require medical assistance or a place of safety.”
To support the service over the Jubilee weekend, members of the public are asked to:
- Only call 999 in a life-threatening emergency
- Order repeat prescriptions in plenty of time
- Check your local pharmacy opening times, as they will differ over the bank holiday:https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy
- If you have an urgent, but not life-threatening medical issue, visit 111.nhs.uk where you’ll be directed to the most appropriate service
- Make sure you have a well-stocked first aid kit. Things like plasters, antiseptic cream & painkillers can help you deal with minor accidents injuries.
- Take care in the heat -use sunscreen, seek regular shade and keep hydrated.
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