WEST MIDLANDS Ambulance Service saw a sharp rise in 999 calls over the Christmas weekend, compared to previous years.
Handlers took 22,826 emergency calls between December 24 and 28 – compared to 19,467 during the same time in 2019 – the equivalent of a 17.3 per cent increase.
Trust Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “I would like to thank the many thousands of staff who worked over the Christmas period while most people were enjoying time with their family and friends.
“It is not just the staff on the road who worked so hard – I want to particularly note the work of the staff in our control rooms.
“These staff are at the forefront of everything that we do, finding out where we are required but also what is wrong with the patient so that our ambulance crews know what they are going into.
“The task at hand for our call handlers and dispatchers is often just as difficult as that experienced by our road staff; they all work exceptionally hard.
“I also want to thank the staff who support these staff, be it the vehicle preparation operatives who clean, fuel and restock the ambulances; the fleet mechanics who make sure we always have ambulances available but also the managers who look after the staff – it is a real team effort.”
Anyone interested in joining West Midlands Ambulance Service can find out details of the latest posts available at jobs.nhs.uk – positions include:
Student Paramedics Ref no: 217-VN323-21-22
Call Assessor Brierley Hill Ref no: 217-VN345-21-22
Call Assessor Stafford Ref no: 217-VN346-21-22
Fleet Mechanic Stafford Ref no: 217-VN328-21-22
Fleet Mechanic Willenhall Ref no: 217-VN329-21-22
Fleet Mechanic Sandwell Ref no: 217-VN330-21-22
VPO Worcester Ref no: 217-VN359-21-22
VPO Regional Reserve list Ref no: 217-VN358-21-22
The public can assist the ambulance service by using 111 online for urgent advice and only calling 999 in life threatening cases.
Also, people should not call back to see if an ambulance is on its way or to check out an estimated time of arrival (ETA). Only call back if the patient’s condition has worsened or you no longer need an ambulance.
