South West Ambulance Service Declares Critical Incident Amid Extreme Pressure
Chaos on the call lines! South Western Ambulance Service declared a critical incident at 11.30 a.m. on Wednesday as 482 patients waited desperately for ambulances across the South West. A staggering 106 patients were stuck waiting for handover inside hospitals.
What Is a Critical Incident?
Declaring a critical incident lets trusts prioritise the most vulnerable patients and implement extra safety measures. It’s a signal that the system is stretched to the brink.
Pressure Mounts Across the Country
The South West isn’t alone. North East Ambulance Service also declared a critical incident on bank holiday Tuesday — their second in under a week — blaming “unprecedented” post-Christmas demand.
On the eve of the Christmas break, most English ambulance services were forced to declare emergencies due to soaring call volumes. These services cover vast areas – South West alone spans 10,000 square miles, including bristol/" title="Bristol" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Bristol, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Cornwall, and Somerset.
Call 999 Only In Emergencies
Wayne Darch, deputy director of operations, urged the public to only dial 999 if life is in danger.
“If the condition of a patient is not life-threatening, we may direct them to an alternative service. So, please assist us by finding the right care for your needs,”
“Please do not call back just to ask about ambulance arrival times. We cannot give estimates, and repeated calls block lines for others.”
The message is clear: ambulance services are at breaking point, and public patience could save lives.
