As the East Midlands welcomed the new year, East Midlands Ambulance Service control teams and crews were already hard at work.
Between midnight and 7am on Thursday, 1 January 2026, East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EMAS) received 1,122 emergency and urgent calls – a 16% increase compared to the same period last year.
- By 03:30 hours, more than 600 calls had already come in.
- By the end of the day, EMAS had handled 4,084 emergency and urgent calls – equivalent to one call every 21 seconds.
- Emergency ambulance crews responded to the scene of 2,200 incidents.
- More than 1,370 patients taken to hospital for further assessment and treatment.
Calls came in for a wide range of reasons, including:
- People feeling acutely unwell due to a medical problem.
- Alcohol related incidents, including falls and assaults.
- Firework injuries.
John Wright, Strategic Commander, said:
“Demand on our service and the hospital emergency departments remains very high.
“Our ambulance crews, patient transport teams, volunteer responders, control centre colleagues, and colleagues working behind the scenes are working tirelessly and in partnership with other NHS providers to ensure patients receive the care they need.
“To help us reach those in life-threatening emergencies, such as cardiac arrest, chest pain, catastrophic bleeding, or suspected stroke, please use NHS services appropriately.
- For non-emergency illness or injury, visit NHS.uk, use 111 online or call 111.
- Only dial 999 for genuine medical emergencies.
“With snow and ice warnings issued for parts of the region, please take extra care when out and about. Carry essentials such as regular medication and check weather alerts before travelling.”