Ambulance service advice for cold snap (From Echo)

Ambulance service advice for cold snap

7:08pm Friday 10th February 2012 in News By Ryan McCarthy

AMBULANCE bosses are urging caution as the service sees a rise in calls during the continuing cold snap.

Bosses at the East of England Ambulance Service have issued advice on how to keep well and warm and ‘choose well’ if people need to use the NHS.

Dr Pamela Chrispin, deputy chief executive and medical director the ambulance service, said: “When people need to use healthcare services it helps if they contact the NHS service which will best fit their needs.

"This may be a pharmacist, GP, or NHS Direct.

"If you ‘choose well’ you make sure resources are used in the best way possible for everyone – so the ambulance service can get to the people who really need us.”

The number of calls to the service relating to falls over the last 24 hours is nearly eight per cent above those during the same period last week.

Much of the rise could be attributed to slips on icy pavements and paths.

From 9am on Wednesday to 9am yesterday, the ambualnce service received 418 fall calls compared to 388 during the same period from February 1 to 2.

Bosses said cuts, bruises and sprains are not normally considered to be emergencies and can usually be treated at home, by a GP or in an NHS walk-in centre or a minor injuries unit.