Last week, the BBC reported that all ambulance services in England have been put on the ‘highest alert level’ due to the extremely high demand for emergency care.
The pressures have been blamed on staff shortages due to COVID-19, hot weather, and delays in handing over patients to A&E departments.
Rising COVID-19 cases across the country, the very hot weather, and other factors have led the NHS to encourage people to only call 999 in an emergency, to call NHS 111 or use 111 Online for non-urgent care, and to seek advice from their GP or a local pharmacy if they can.
“If you have an urgent but not life-threatening medical need, make sure you visit NHS 111
online first rather than going straight to A&E. NHS 111 online will help you right away and, if
needed, a healthcare professional will call you.”
NHS England
