3:30pm Friday 8th January 2010
AMBULANCE bosses are stringently planning for a weekend of high demand.
The East of England Ambulance Service wants to ensure that key resources are in place to maintain the 999 service throughout the continued freezing temperatures.
Neil Storey, associate director of A&E services said: "The ambulance service continuously looks at how it can best adapt to the severe weather, so that the high level of patient care can be maintained.
"Our ability to respond as quickly as possible to patients is key and of course this can be challenging in the weather conditions we've dealt with this week and face this weekend.
"We do what is necessary in our planning to continue to help patients, and public support plays a part in that."
Crews are working in the face of rising numbers of people injured in the bad weather conditions.They have experienced a 90 per cent increase in falls, and about 50 per cent more RTCs.
Neil added: "If the public take responsibility for their own safety as far as possible, it can make all the difference between avoiding an accident, and needing 999 care.
"The public must also remember that unless their condition is life-threatening or serious, there are many alternatives available such as calling NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or contacting your local GP or pharmacist."
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