Boxing Day ‘busiest’ day of year for paramedics

South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) saw nearly a third more emergency calls to its 999 control centres compared to the same day last year with 2,063 in 2012 and 2,744 in 2013.

With further risk of flooding expected in parts of our region, South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is urging the public to use the 999 service wisely over the coming days.

Contingency, Planning and Resilience Manager, Steve Carpenter said: “It has been extremely busy and staff have worked very hard, through some challenging conditions. Many roads, particularly in Kent and Surrey, have been impassable.

“This has made it very difficult getting to some patients as quickly as we would like. But we’ve had some great support from members of the public and also our specialist HART (Hazardous area response team) colleagues.”

“However, with concerns for further flooding in parts of Surrey and Kent today, we would urge the public to think very carefully about whether they need our service.

We would also urge people to consider and check on elderly and vulnerable neighbours. We would also advise people to avoid taking unnecessary risks driving through flood water.”