East of England Ambulance Service moves to highest alert level
It's as demand sees a "huge spike"
The East of England Ambulance service says a significant increase in demand for its services mean it's had to step-up to its highest alert level.
It's put in place Resource Escalation Plan (REAP) Level 4 due to sustained high demand and handover delays at hospitals increasing with a rise in the number of respiratory and viral illnesses like flu.
In the week ending 30 November EEAST took 24,000 emergency calls - up almost 3,000 on the previous week - last week that had grown further, to 24,400.
The move to REAP Level 4 means that all clinicians can be deployed to frontline duties, but the trust's asking us all to help, in some cases that may be asking people to make their own way to hospital, but also:
- Call NHS 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk if it's not an emergency.
- Stay well - get flu and Covid jabs, keep warm, eat well, stay active, practice good hygeine
- Be prepared - keep basic medication at home and ensure prescriptions are up to date
- Look after mental health - stay connected, get daylight, seek support if you're struggling
Neil Moloney, Chief Executive of EEAST, said, "There is an extraordinary level of pressure on the health system nationally, and we have made the decision to move to REAP 4 – the highest escalation level.
"We have seen a huge spike in demand, driven by an increase in respiratory illness, which means many hospitals are at capacity and our ambulance resources are stretched as a result.
"I urge the public to think carefully before using 999. If you have a medical emergency, we will get to you, but there may be a delay.
"During periods of high demand, patients with immediately life-threatening conditions are our priority. Those with less serious conditions will experience delays and may be referred to other NHS services or given self-care advice. We apologise to anyone affected by these delays."