Welsh Ambulance Service declares critical incident amid surge in 999 calls
The Welsh Ambulance Service declared a critical incident at noon on Friday after a sharp rise in 999 calls, including patients with serious and life-threatening conditions awaiting a response.
Call volume this week has increased by 31 per cent compared to the same period two weeks ago, with Thursday more than 50 per cent higher.
The service said it has received around 400 more emergency 999 calls per day this week.
The declaration came after one of the busiest periods of sustained pressure the service has experienced this year, with increased demand seen across the wider NHS in Wales during the current spell of hot weather.
Judith Bryce, Assistant Director of Operations, said:
“By declaring a critical incident, it allows our teams to focus our efforts and resources on patients who are experiencing the most serious and life-threatening emergencies.
“People contacting us with less serious conditions are likely to experience longer waits. In some cases, patients may be clinically assessed and advised to seek alternative care, rather than an ambulance being dispatched.
“We are asking the public to support us during this time by only calling 999 in a genuine, life-threatening emergency.”
People who are unwell or have a minor injury are advised to visit the NHS 111 Wales website at 111.wales.nhs.uk, where the NHS Wales digital assistant can help direct them to the right care.
Temperatures are expected to fall over the coming days, but the service said demand is expected to remain high.
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