East of England Ambulance Service moves to highest alert level amid winter pressures

The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) has declared its highest alert level due high demand across the region.

EEAST said it had seen an “unprecedented level” of calls and increased pressures at hospitals across the region, leading to long handover times.

It also said the move to operate at Resource Escalation Action Plan (REAP) Level 4 anticipated an increase in demand because of cold weather and the New Year’s Eve celebrations.

EEAST medical director Simon Walsh said crews are “stretched to the limit” and “many of our hospitals are at capacity”. He urged people to think carefully before calling 999.

The service warned patients may face longer than normal waits for an ambulance and encouraged people to make their own way to hospital where possible.

Mr Walsh said: “There is an outstanding level of pressure on the whole health system in the East of England.

“We have seen a huge spike in demand, driven by an increase in respiratory illness, which means many of our hospitals are at capacity and our ambulance crews are stretched to the limit.

He said where possible, people should try to see their GP, use 111 or take themselves to hospital unless experiencing a medical emergency.

“During periods of high demand for our services, patients with urgent and immediately life-threatening conditions are our priority.

“Those with less serious conditions will be advised that there may be a delayed response or, if it is safe to do so, they should seek alternative care.

“We apologise in advance to anyone experiencing delays,” he said.

Moving to this level means EEAST can take various actions, including ensuring all clinicians are available to respond to calls and deploying clinicians with non-clinical drivers to get as many vehicles out to see patients as possible. The trust said the move is in line with many other ambulance services across the country.