Ambulance plea over ‘Mad Friday’

AMBULANCE chiefs are urging party-goers to drink responsibly whilst enjoying themselves and to think before they dial 999, only calling on the ambulance service for life threatening incidents.

Today (19) is dubbed “Mad Friday” — the last Friday before Christmas, which always sees a spike in emergency calls as the Christmas party season reaches a peak.

North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (NWAS) recently recorded its highest ever activity levels with the volume of 999 calls rising to an average of over 4,000 per day.

NWAS director of operations, Derek Cartwright, said: “The rise in activity we are seeing in the North-West region is being replicated all across the country, with many services stating that this is the busiest time they have ever experienced.

“In genuine life-threatening emergencies, time matters. So if people stop and think about drink this Christmas and take a sensible approach, they can play their part in helping to ensuring ambulance crews are free to attend to vulnerable and very poorly people.”

Calls to 999 received over Christmas in 2013 included a hair bobble being stuck on a finger, a ring stuck on a finger, a sore throat and a call from somebody wanting the Patient Transport Service number.

If you need advice for a health condition but are unsure of where to go for help, call NHS 111.

l A hearse, police car, ambulance and taxi will be lined up in Piccadilly Gardens tonight to remind festive revellers of the consequences of their actions.

“Mad Friday” is traditionally the busiest night of the year in Manchester city centre and 300,000 people on a night out are expected to visit the city centre this weekend.

Extra officers will be out on patrol to ensure the night is fun and safe for all.

Officers will also be patrolling the roads looking for drink drivers.