EEAST moves to highest alert level from winter pressure

The move to operate at Resource Escalation Action Plan (REAP) Level 4 comes after a sustained high volume of calls, a significant and sustained number of patients waiting to be handed over at hospitals, and in response to anticipated increased demand due to cold weather and upcoming New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Calls have risen to an unprecedented level , with increased pressure at hospitals leading to longer waiting times for ambulances to handover patients.

The huge pressure means clinicians must prioritise those most in need – meaning some patients will face a long wait for an ambulance and should make their own way to the hospital if they can.

Moving to this level means the Trust 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.

EEAST medical director Simon 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.

“What I urge the public to do is to think very carefully about using 999. If you have a medical emergency and need us, we will get to you, but there may be a delay. Many patients will be treated more quickly if they see their GP, use 111, or take themselves to hospital. Arriving at a hospital by ambulance won’t mean you’ll be seen any more quickly.

“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.”