Ambulance service issues warning amid 'exceptionally busy' 999 demand

Ambulance service bosses have issued a warning amid 'exceptionally busy' conditions. People are being urged to request an ambulance only in an emergency as the service sees high demand today (December 18).

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) says it is 'working extremely hard' to make sure those who need an ambulance are able to get one. But to help paramedics support as many patients in life-threatening situations as possible, people are being urged to consider alternatives if their circumstances are less serious.

In a message shared on social media this morning, an NWAS spokesperson said: "We are exceptionally busy today, and we’re working extremely hard to ensure everyone who needs an ambulance gets one. Please keep ambulances for emergencies and consider if your GP, pharmacist, or 111.nhs.uk could help with your health concern."

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The warning comes as NHS leaders have warned how this year could be the 'toughest winter ever' for the health service. It comes amid a quadruple surge in cases of flu, norovirus, covid and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Going into December, there was also record number of patients in hospital beds, and ambulance services across the country were reporting high demand. Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said earlier this month to expect a 'long winter ahead of us'.

He added: "For a while there have been warnings of a ‘tripledemic’ of Covid, flu and RSV this winter, but with rising cases of norovirus this could fast become a ‘quad-demic’ so it’s important that if you haven’t had your covid or flu jab to follow the lead of millions of others and come forward and get