The London Ambulance Service (LAS) is set to see up to 2,000 more calls than the daily average tonight
The London Ambulance Service (LAS) is set to see up to 2,000 more calls than the daily average tonight (New Year’s Eve), as it makes final preparations for one of its busiest nights of the year.
There will be more ambulances on the road and staff in its control rooms overnight tonight to meet the expected surge in demand. During the peak time between 1am and 2am on New Year’s Day last year, a 999 call was received every ten seconds.
The festive season has already been very busy for the service. LAS saw its busiest November on record with 999 call handlers taking 192,600 calls – over 13,000 more calls compared to the same month last year. The last weekend of the November saw LAS receive around 7,500 999 calls each day for three consecutive days – figures normally seen on New Year’s Eve itself.
The recent spike in call numbers is due to the combined impact of wintery weather and rising rates of viral infections and respiratory illnesses, including flu.
Strategic Commander Becky Owen, who is overseeing the service’s operations on New Year’s Eve, said: “New Year’s Eve can be our busiest night of the year. We have additional resources on the roads and in our control rooms, ready to care for those who need us and keep Londoners safe. If you’re out celebrating, we want you to have a fantastic night, but please enjoy the festivities safely.
“If you’re drinking alcohol, make sure you have something to eat beforehand, stay hydrated with water or soft drinks, and plan your journey home. It is forecast to be cold, so make sure you wrap up warmly. This is especially important if you are drinking alcohol which can make you feel a false sense warmth even though you are getting dangerously cold. Don’t end your night in the back of an ambulance.
“Please save 999 for life-threatening emergencies. If it’s urgent, but not life-threatening, NHS 111 online can help find the right care for you. Your actions can save lives.”
This New Year’s Eve almost 140 additional staff will be working. Some of those will be working in central London patrolling the ticketed area where thousands of people are expected to attend the Mayor of London’s celebrations.
The LAS will also have extra people working in its control rooms and clinical hubs. It will also open its dedicated special operations centre to coordinate and dispatch resources. The event team will work closely with police and Transport for London throughout the night.
Alcohol-related 999 calls are expected to rise during the night. Body worn cameras are being made available to those who are working to deter violence and capture vital evidence of any abuse to increase the chance of bringing perpetrators to justice.
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