STATISTICS show call assessors at West Midlands Ambulance Service’s Emergency Operation Centres (EOC) have answered 999 calls in an average of just two seconds.
Both the EOC bases in Brierley Hill and in Stafford have answered a combined total of over 1,365,117 ‘999 calls’ so far this year – with 173,834 of them being taken in October alone.
Despite the high volume, the quick responses have not faltered.
Call assessors, dispatch staff and clinical validation team (CVT) work tirelessly to provide around the clock, outstanding care to people of the West Midlands. Additionally, West Midlands Ambulance Service’s EOC answers emergency 999 calls for ambulance services across the country where there is a requirement for support with ongoing demand.
West Midlands Ambulance Service’s Integrated emergency and urgent care and performance director, Jeremy Brown, said: “A call answering time of two seconds, on average, is a remarkable effort and is one that doesn’t go unnoticed.
“This has displayed, once again, the dedication and commitment our team puts into every single shift to delivery outstanding patient care, in what has been a significantly testing time for the service.
“We are at the starting point of a patient’s journey and need to do everything we possibly can to give the best care to our patients in their hour of need.”
This week, West Midlands Ambulance Service will be sharing an insight into their two Emergency Operations Centres and some of the incredible staff within them, with the upcoming launch of the campaign ‘Is the Patient Breathing?’.
The drive aims to raise awareness about what is happening behind the scenes when a 999 call is made and shows the contrasts between an emergency Category 1 response and cases where an ambulance is not required but the most appropriate care referral is made.
Visit wmas.nhs.uk and click through to ‘What happens when you call 999?’ for more on the ‘Is the Patient Breathing? campaign.
Check out @OfficialWMAS social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, X and Threads for the latest updates.
