Think before calling 999 for an ambulance this winter to ease pressure and help the seriously ill and injured

Residents across Sussex are being asked to use 999 wisely during the colder temperatures and festive period to reduce pressure on the ambulance service.

South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) is reminding the public to think before dialling 999.

As the service continually prioritises its response to its most seriously ill and injured patients, just a small percentage of calls fall into the highest category of call requiring an immediate ambulance response.

More than a third of calls (36 per cent) SECAmb responded to in the last 12 months (December 1 2019 – November 30 2020) were triaged as lower priority Category three responses (246,461), which ambulance services aim to respond to within two hours. Just seven per cent (47,514) fell into the most serious life-threatening category which require an average seven minute response.

Each day staff in its control rooms receive dozens of calls for ambulance responses which are still within the timeframe set out by the 999 call taker.

People are asked to listen carefully to the call taker and only call back if a patient’s condition worsens. This helps ensure emergency operations centre staff are as available as possible to answer new 999 calls and arrange an appropriate responses.

Emma Williams, SECAmb deputy director of operations, said: “We typically handle in excess of 2,000 999 calls each day and behind each call is someone who needs help.