The public are being reminded to only call 999 and 111 for life-threatening emergencies and urgent medical help.
All NHS services, including 999 and NHS111, continue to experience extremely high demand.
Last night there were no ambulances available when the police requested one:
Looks like @swasFT are just as busy as us. Officers just called for an ambulance but 0 available, so first aid & transport by us. #baycops
— #Baycops (@SgtSheps) January 1, 2015
South Western Ambulance service said:
“If you are suffering a life-threatening emergency or need urgent medical help then please call. However, if not, please think about the other healthcare options available, such as self-care or visiting a pharmacy, or please consider whether your problem could wait until your own GP surgery reopens.
“Please be aware that even if you call 999, unless you are suffering a life-threatening emergency, you may not receive an emergency ambulance. Your call will be triaged by an experienced senior clinician and you will be given the most appropriate advice for your condition,”
If when calling NHS111 with an urgent medical problem, you receive a message saying there is a technical failure and get disconnected, please retry. There is no technical failure it is simply due to demand. Please be reassured that your call will be answered as soon as possible.
