The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is expecting a winter period of significant and sustained demand across its 999 services – a position that is reflected across other health and care organisations locally, regionally, and nationally.

As winter approaches, flu and other respiratory illnesses are expected to rise, a drop in temperatures and ongoing pressures due to ambulance handover delays are set to compound the challenges already faced by the region’s ambulance service.

In response to this, the Trust has developed an extensive winter plan, and its leaders are asking communities to help by following the below steps:

• Only call 999 when someone is seriously injured or ill and their life may be at risk. For example, if someone is unconscious, not breathing or is bleeding heavily.
• If you’re waiting for an ambulance, please don’t call 999 back — unless the patient’s condition has deteriorated or you no longer need an ambulance — to ask when one will arrive, these details can’t be provided, as ambulances are sent to patients with the most life-threatening conditions first.
• For non-life-threatening emergencies, people can access appropriate care by visiting NHS 111 online, contacting their GP or getting advice from a pharmacy.

“We know this winter is going to be very challenging for us, which is why we’re urging local communities to use our services responsibly, and choose the right care for them,” said Wayne Darch, deputy director of Operations at SWASFT

“We want to be there for everyone that needs us in a medical emergency, to ensure this, we need to have crews available for patients with the most life-threatening conditions. Please only call 999 if someone is seriously injured or ill, for anything else, please contact NHS 111.

“I would like to thank our people and NHS colleagues who will be working throughout the winter to help keep us all safe and well. Should you need their support, please be kind to them, they are working hard under huge daily pressures.”

Dr Paul Johnson, chief medical officer with NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “There are many things people can do over the winter months to help themselves, their families and local health and care partners, including getting vaccinated against Flu and COVID and making sure they have the right medicines at home to treat everyday ailments, but by far the most important thing is to use the right service at the right time.

“Our website staywelldorset.nhs.uk contains information for people so they can make an informed choice if they need medical help.”

For non-life-threatening emergencies, people can access appropriate care by visiting NHS 111 online, contacting their GP or getting advice from a pharmacy.