East Midlands Ambulance Service is urging people to use the most appropriate NHS service as crews deal with very high demand.
The service said its control room teams, ambulance crews and volunteers are working hard to respond to patients most in need, while the wider NHS is also under significant pressure.
People who need urgent medical help that is not life-threatening are being asked to consider other options, including pharmacies, NHS 111 and urgent treatment centres.
The ambulance service said anyone who can safely make their own way to a local NHS service, with help from a family member or by taxi, may be able to receive care more quickly.
It added that 999 should only be used for life-threatening emergencies, helping to ensure ambulance crews remain available for patients in critical need.
A spokesperson for EMAS said on Tuesday 26 May:
‘Our control room colleagues, ambulance crews and volunteers are working hard to respond to those who need us most.
‘We are currently experiencing very high demand, and the wider NHS is also under significant pressure. This means it’s more important than ever to access the most appropriate service for your needs.
‘If you need urgent medical help that isn’t life-threatening, there are other NHS services available – including pharmacies, NHS 111, and urgent treatment centres – which can help.
‘If you’re able to safely make your own way to a local NHS service, such as an urgent treatment centre or if it’s an emergency, A&E, with support from a family member or by taxi, this may help you receive care more quickly.
‘Only calling 999 for life-threatening emergencies helps ensure our crews are available to respond to those patients in critical need.’
