North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has today been moved to the highest alert level.. The service, under "extreme pressure", confirmed to the Manchester Evening News that the trust was raised to its highest operational pressure level this morning.
NWAS now stands at Resource Escalation Action Plan (REAP) level four. Level four 'indicates a potential for failures' within ambulances services as they try to cope with 'extreme pressure', according to the national NHS framework.
The escalation comes as patients struggle with heat-related illnesses, the M.E.N. understands. The Health Service Journal reports that all 10 of the country's ambulance services have also been raised to the highest level.
READ MORE: Covid hospitalisations more than QUADRUPLE in just over a month in Greater Manchester
There has been an increased demand on NWAS because of the heatwave, the M.E.N. has been told. The warm weather sees 'lots more respiratory illnesses and that's why the service has been escalated', according to NHS sources.
The increasing incident level for NWAS comes as two of the region's major hospitals have warned of serious pressures at their emergency departments. Both the Royal Bolton Hospital and Stepping Hill have admitted that staff are currently facing 'extremely busy' A&Es, as ambulances have been spotted queueing up outside the Stockport centre.
The two hospitals have urged patients to only come to A&E if they have any of the following symptoms, reminding people the departments are for emergencies, and life-threatening illnesses and injuries only:
- Severe chest pains
- Difficulty breathing
- Bleeding you can’t stop
- Possible broken bones
- Loss of consciousness
- Stroke symptoms
- Severe tummy pain or headache
- A child who is very unwell
In an effort to reduce potential heat-related health conditions, people are being advised to follow NHS tips to cope with the hot weather:
- Look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated – older people, those with underlying health conditions and those who live alone are particularly at risk
- Stay cool indoors by closing curtains on rooms that face the sun
- Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol, take water with you if travelling
- Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals
- Try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm
- Walk in the shade and apply sunscreen regularly
- Avoid exercising in the hottest parts of the day
- Never jump into or swim in open water (including reservoirs, rivers, canals and ponds). Follow local safety guidance and advice from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
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