Plea for public to help protect ambulance resources for those most in need this Bank Holiday

With the Easter Bank Holiday weekend upon us, the Welsh Ambulance Service is urging the public to help protect their resources. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The long weekends often leads to an increase in demand for the already stretched service. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

However in a bid to ease the pressure over the Bank Holiday the Trust is reminding people to collect any medication, including prescriptions and stock up on first aid supplies to treat minor injuries and illness as home. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The Trust is also asking the public to drink responsibly and treat emergency workers with respect. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Below are some tips issued by the Welsh Ambulance Service: ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Out and About ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

• Download the free what3words app on your mobile phone so 999 call handlers can find you quickly in an emergency
• Road safety – when out on a bike or scooter, always wear a helmet and beware of busy roads and crossroads safely
• Dangerous playgrounds – make sure you know where your children are going to ensure they aren’t playing in any hazardous areas such as railway tracks or abandoned buildings
• Stick together – don’t walk away and leave friends to get home on their own
• Drink alcohol sensibly – if you’re enjoying an alcoholic drink be sure to know your limits and remember to drink plenty of water as the alcohol will make you even more dehydrated

At Home ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

• If you’re visiting Wales on holiday, make sure you know the address of your rental home, hotel, campsite or caravan park – this will be the first thing a 999 call handler will ask you
• Ensure that your house name or number is displayed clearly so our ambulances can find you in good time
• Make sure you have a well-stocked first aid kit so you’re poised to deal with any minor injuries at home
• If you’re a visitor to Wales, remember to bring any prescription medicines

Sonia Thompson, Assistant Director of Operations (Emergency Medical Service), said: “We always see a rise in demand in our services over a long weekend, and this weekend is expected to be no different. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Improved weather usually means more people are out and about socialising or travelling to visit family and friends, so it’s important that they collect their prescriptions, keep a stocked first aid kit in their homes and cars and know what services to use should they become ill or suffer an injury. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The NHS 111 Wales website should be the first place you visit for health advice and information if you’re ill or injured and unsure what to do. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“If you’ve lost, forgotten or have run out of prescribed medication and the GP surgery is closed then you can visit some pharmacies in Wales for an Emergency Medicines Supply Service free of charge. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Pharmacies are also readily available with no appointment needed, offering advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Some Minor Injury Units (MIU) are also open over the Bank Holiday and can help treat fractures, dislocations, assaults, wounds and more. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“You can use the NHS 111 Wales website to search for an open pharmacy and MIU near you, if your usual one is closed. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“It’s important that our emergency ambulances are protected for those that need us most and 999 is kept for the most serious and life-threatening emergencies only.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​