WEST Midlands Ambulance Service received double the number of calls it usually gets on Sunday morning (December 21).
At its peak – in the early hours of Sunday morning – the number of 999 calls reached 3,385, making it the 12th busiest day ever.
Over the week, there were 22,952 emergency calls, a rise of almost 2,500 or 12.2 per cent over the same week in 2013.
Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer Steve Wheaton said: “While the total numbers of calls over the weekend may not have been as high as we feared, there is absolutely no doubt that people went out partying on Friday and Saturday nights.
“On Friday, demand was significantly up from about midnight through until 2am, but Sunday was a whole different story.
“Demand got going at around 10.00pm and then increased massively through the early hours.”
The number of calls did not return to normal until 6am on Sunday morning and, from 3am to 4am, there was double the amount the service usually expect on a Saturday night.
With just two days left until Christmas, the trust is urging people to do all they can to make sure they keep themselves healty over the festive period.
Residents should pick up first aid essentials, such as plasters and bandages, tissues, cold and flu remedies, a thermometer and painkillers.
Now is also the time to sort out any repeat prescriptions.
People should also show some community spirit and make sure their elderly relatives and neighbours are also prepared for the bank holidays.
