Higher demands on ambulance crews

The ambulance service has called on the Northern Ireland public to ensure that an emergency vehicle is really needed before dialling 999.

The service said it had experienced a higher demand on services in recent weeks due to an increase in cases of respiratory diseases and flu.

NIAS said it was using its intermediate care fleet as extensively as possible for non-emergency cases.

It responded to 1,064 more calls in November than in November last year.

In a statement, the NIAS said the increase reflected the "continuing trend of a year-on-year increase of demand on our service".

"The demands on the service are added to by the increased pressure experienced by the hospitals at this time of the year resulting in the ambulance service transporting more patients to, from and between hospitals," the service said.

"Ambulance officers are also on alert to respond to calls at times of peak activity.

"NIAS would call on the public to ensure that they, where appropriate, make use of alternative healthcare pathways e.g. GP's and pharmacists before dialling 999 for an emergency ambulance to help us ensure that capacity is retained within the system to deal with the most serious calls received."