“We want everyone to enjoy the holidays, but also to take steps to stay safe, whether it's on the road, at home, or while celebrating with loved ones”

The words of North East Ambulance Service’s head of emergency preparedness, resilience and response (EPRR), Stu Holliday.

The North East Ambulance Service is urging the public to stay safe and celebrate responsibly over the festive season.

placeholder image — The North East Ambulance Service is urging the public to stay safe and celebrate responsibly over the festive season.

Mr Holliday was speaking ahead of the festive season, with health services already under strain due to the increase in winter ailments.

The season to be merry is also a time when accidents can happen more frequently including road traffic incidents, alcohol-related incidents and slips, trips and falls.

Mr Holliday said: “We know that winter is always busy for health services but particularly over the festive period and the public can help us protect the services for those who need it the most.

“Over the busy winter period, we can take around 3,000 calls per day on 111 which include cold and flu symptoms, abdominal pain and sickness and diarrhoea.”

The NHS also sees an increase in common illnesses such as norovirus, flu and other respiratory viral infections and so NHS chiefs are urging people to get their vaccinations, utilise good hand hygiene, keep warm and stock up on medicines and repeat prescriptions before bank holidays.

People across the region are also reminded to only dial 999 in an emergency or visit A&E if their condition is a threat to life or limb. For non-emergency cases, the public should use other services including 111 online, their GP, pharmacy first, and urgent treatment centres.

Dr Neil O’Brien, chief medical officer at NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: "Firstly, I wish to thank all NHS staff across the region, who are working incredibly hard to ensure patients get the care they need.

"Like every festive bank holiday, ambulance and A&E teams find themselves under much more pressure, so we need to ensure that they can focus on patients who need help the most. Avoidable incidents during these times of celebrations are most often linked to drinking too much and this puts a major strain on all health services.

"I wish everyone a healthy and happy New Year, and kindly ask that you enjoy the celebrations sensibly and help avoid spending New Year in A&E.”

Mr Holliday added: “When someone needs our service, we want to have the right resources available to respond.

“We also ask that anyone waiting for an ambulance to please only call back if their condition worsens or to cancel if it is no longer required. Finally, please respect our staff and NHS colleagues, they are working hard away from their families this Christmas and New Year.”

Anyone needing urgent mental health support should ring 111 and press option 2.

Further information about medical services over the Christmas period can be found on the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board.