PEOPLE are being urged to think before they call 999 over the Easter weekend. The four-day break usually sees an increase in the number 999 and visits to A&E, as local GP practices are closed.
Derek Cartwright, director for emergency services at North West Ambulance Service, is urging people only to call 999 in emergencies.
He said people can get help and advice from pharmacy staff, they can visit an out- of-hours doctor, go to a walk-in centre or minor injuries unit or call NHS Direct.
Mr Cartwright said: “Calls to 999 and visits to A&E seem to go up over the holiday period, often because people don’t know where they can get good health care advice when their GP practice is closed. “Any increase in activity, means it can take longer for us to respond to and treat people who have a genuine emergency — for example people with heart problems, who have had a stroke, had a serious accident or who have breathing problems. “People also sometimes call 999 because they think this will get them seen quicker. That isn’t the case.” For information about NHS services available over Easter, visit nhsdirect.nhs.uk or call 0845 46 47.
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