Sponsored by
Christmas 999 calls on rise
AMBULANCE crews in the region took a record number of calls this Christmas.
The North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust had to cope with 5,293 incidents between Tuesday, December 22, and Boxing Day.
That was 306 calls more than over the same period last year, a rise of 5.8 per cent.
In the South of the Tyne area, which includes South Tyneside, there were 1,418 emergencies and incidents requiring a doctor urgently.
Paul Liversidge, director of ambulance operations, said: "Christmas periods are a busy time for the North East Ambulance Service, and this year was no exception.
"I would like to thank our staff and volunteers, who have continued to approach their work with their usual good humour, hard work and determination.
"At this time of the year, our demand increases significantly, so we urge members of the public not to call 999 unnecessarily.
"We do continue to receive 999 calls for minor problems such as sore throats, coughs and colds when they clearly don't need assistance from our emergency service."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for South Shields
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -2 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South
