SOUTH Central Ambulance service is urging residents to plan ahead for the holidays as it gears up for its busiest period.
It comes as emergency services release usage figures for this period last year from South Central Ambulance Service Foundation Trust.
Figures revealed that there were nearly 75,000 calls to the NHS 111 service for Thames Valley and Hampshire.
That averages around 220 calls every hour of each day, and the busiest day was Saturday, December 23, when there were 8,280 calls to the service.
SCAS is reminding residents to use the NHS 111 service, which is available over the phone or via the internet.
The service can assess and direct people with an urgent medical need to the most appropriate local service, including urgent treatment centres, GP practices and consultations with a pharmacist.
“If needed, it can also arrange a call back from a nurse, doctor or paramedic or provide self-treatment advice.
Joanne McPartlane, head of integrated urgent care and 111 services at SCAS, said:
“NHS 111 should be used this Christmas and New Year for when you need urgent medical help that can’t wait, for example, until your GP surgery or local pharmacy is open.
“If it’s not an urgent problem, there is plenty of advice and information you can find on the NHS App or online at NHS.uk, including how to treat symptoms of common winter illnesses at home with over-the-counter remedies and self-care.”
She explained: “If you do need to call at peak times over the Christmas period, such as at the weekend or on a bank holiday, it may take longer than normal to get through.
“Please don’t hang up and redial, as this will send you to the back of the queue. Bear with us and we will answer your call; or you can always use the online service at 111.nhs.uk.
“Whether you call or go online, you’ll get the same help and advice based on your symptoms.”
The 111 service is available by calling 111 or visiting: 111.nhs.uk
