PARAMEDICS across Worcestershire rang in 2017 with a near 17 per cent rise in calls compared to 2016 on the busiest day ever for the Trust.
West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) received no fewer than 4,629 emergency calls, a staggering 807 more than the next busiest day, which was January 1, 2011.
It rounded off an incredibly busy festive period for the trust.
For the five day period Thursday, December 29 to Monday, January 2, the service took 18,583 calls compared to 15,933 for the same period in 2015/16.
A total of 315 999 calls were made on New Year’s Eve in Worcestershire, up from 269 last year while 397 calls were received on New Year’s Day compared to 276 in 2016.
New Year’s Eve and the early hours of New Year’s Day were filled with alcohol related calls including assaults, falls and unconscious patients.
However, the majority of calls during the five days were for people who were unwell with the likes of breathing difficulties, chest pains and falls.
Trust Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “I am very grateful and proud of all the staff and volunteers that worked through this period.
“While the majority of people were enjoying time with family and friends, my staff were working 24 hours a day to keep the public of the West Midlands safe.
“Over the years we have developed incredibly detailed plans and made preparations for this incredibly busy period.
“Once again, that planning has paid off and we have met this challenge and continued to provide a very high standard of service to patients.
“This would not have been possible without the hard work, dedication and passion of my staff and I am extremely grateful for their continued efforts,” he added.
