South Western Ambulance Service declares critical incident due to extreme pressure

The South Western Ambulance Service has declared a 'critical incident' due to 'extreme pressures'.

The service responded to an average of 2,913 incidents a day last week.

Last Saturday (29 May), it responded to 3,200 incidents, the highest level of activity in 2021 so far.

For comparison, it usually has around 2,650 emergency incidents a day.

A spokesperson said: "Some patients may wait longer for an ambulance while others could be advised to access alternative services if their call is not life-threatening.

"We need you to only call 999 in a genuine, life-threatening emergency so we can help those most in need.

"If you have a non-life-threatening but urgent medical problem, please call NHS 111 who can advise you on the most appropriate place for care and also call an ambulance if necessary.

"Our hardworking ambulance crews, control room staff and volunteers will continue to prioritise anyone who is critically ill and ask that you help us help you by only calling 999 in a life threatening emergency."

Not sure whether to call 999 or 111?

999 is for life-threatening medical emergencies, such as when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.

111 is for non-life-threatening but urgent medical problems, like small broken bones, sprains, or minor burns.