North East Ambulance Service Hits Crisis Point Amid Huge Delays
The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) declared a critical incident today (19 December) as it struggles under historic pressure. More than 200 patients are currently stuck waiting for ambulances, with crews tied up due to hospital handover delays.
Chaos on the Roads: Ambulance Crews Stretched to Breaking Point
Stephen Segasby, NEAS Chief Operating Officer, warned: “Our service is under unprecedented pressure.”
He explained the critical incident lets the service prioritise the most urgent cases and signals to health partners the need for extra support. Segasby urged the public: “Please only call us in a life-threatening emergency. For everything else, use 111.nhs.uk, or speak to your GP or pharmacist.”
He paid tribute to frontline staff and volunteers, saying: “They’re working unbelievably hard in these tough times.”
Emergency Measures Kicked In to Protect Patient Safety
NEAS has been on its highest alert since 5 December. Declaring a critical incident unlocks extra actions, including:
- Requesting mutual aid from other ambulance trusts
- Cancelling all training to redeploy clinical staff
- Suspending urgent, non-emergency transportation bookings
- Boosting third-party provider support
With winter hitting hard, the North East’s ambulance service is battling its busiest period in recent memory – and the NHS is feeling the strain.
