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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Ambulance service declares first critical incident | Ambulance service declares first critical incident |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| East Midlands Ambulance Service said all options had been exhausted | East Midlands Ambulance Service said all options had been exhausted |
| East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) has declared its first ever critical incident after flooding hit the region. | East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) has declared its first ever critical incident after flooding hit the region. |
| EMAS raised its resource escalation action plan to level four - the highest level that indicates a potential for failures in the service - in response to pressures on the NHS and ambulance services on 26 November. | EMAS raised its resource escalation action plan to level four - the highest level that indicates a potential for failures in the service - in response to pressures on the NHS and ambulance services on 26 November. |
| It has remained at that level ever since and, at 18:00 GMT on Monday, EMAS declared a critical incident due to a combination of "significant patient demand, pressure within hospitals and flooding". | It has remained at that level ever since and, at 18:00 GMT on Monday, EMAS declared a critical incident due to a combination of "significant patient demand, pressure within hospitals and flooding". |
| EMAS added it had "put out more ambulance resource than ever before". | EMAS added it had "put out more ambulance resource than ever before". |
| EMAS covers Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire. | EMAS covers Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire. |
| More than 500 emergencies were waiting for a response from the ambulance service when it declared the critical incident on Monday, with the service saying there was "a great risk" of patient harm. | More than 500 emergencies were waiting for a response from the ambulance service when it declared the critical incident on Monday, with the service saying there was "a great risk" of patient harm. |
| 'Use services wisely' | 'Use services wisely' |
| The trust said the declaration was a "formal ask" of partner services to help "mitigate the risk for people in our communities". | The trust said the declaration was a "formal ask" of partner services to help "mitigate the risk for people in our communities". |
| This includes asking hospitals for the rapid release of ambulances from hospital departments to enable the service to respond to life-threatening emergencies. | This includes asking hospitals for the rapid release of ambulances from hospital departments to enable the service to respond to life-threatening emergencies. |
| From Tuesday morning, local NHS clinical hubs will be taking category 3 calls, such as abdominal pains, from EMAS and provide support for these patients. | From Tuesday morning, local NHS clinical hubs will be taking category 3 calls, such as abdominal pains, from EMAS and provide support for these patients. |
| Similar calls from NHS 111 will also receive clinical validation from the service provider before an ambulance is sent for. | Similar calls from NHS 111 will also receive clinical validation from the service provider before an ambulance is sent for. |
| In addition, members of the public are urged to use "NHS services wisely" and to seek alternative care via a pharmacy, urgent treatment centre, or GP if their illness or injury is not life-threatening. | In addition, members of the public are urged to use "NHS services wisely" and to seek alternative care via a pharmacy, urgent treatment centre, or GP if their illness or injury is not life-threatening. |
| EMAS's director of operations Ben Holdaway called the declaration a "huge step" for the service and urged people to only call 999 if they believed they were in a life-threatening situation. | |
| "And if you do call, it's likely there will be a delay in us getting to you," he said. | "And if you do call, it's likely there will be a delay in us getting to you," he said. |
| Mr Holdaway added the critical incident was ongoing and would be reviewed on Tuesday afternoon. | Mr Holdaway added the critical incident was ongoing and would be reviewed on Tuesday afternoon. |
| Aerial footage shows Leicestershire floods | Aerial footage shows Leicestershire floods |
| Flooding caused large-scale disruption across the East Midlands on Monday, with roads and travel services across the region affected. | Flooding caused large-scale disruption across the East Midlands on Monday, with roads and travel services across the region affected. |
| A major incident was declared due to widespread flooding in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, with 59 people rescued. | A major incident was declared due to widespread flooding in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, with 59 people rescued. |
| Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said it had received more than 380 calls on Monday, attended 56 incidents and evacuated people from 209 homes. | Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said it had received more than 380 calls on Monday, attended 56 incidents and evacuated people from 209 homes. |
| On Monday evening, the Environment Agency issued a severe, risk-to-life flood warning for a stretch of the River Soar in Barrow upon Soar. | On Monday evening, the Environment Agency issued a severe, risk-to-life flood warning for a stretch of the River Soar in Barrow upon Soar. |
| It said rising levels at the Pillings Lock posed a risk to properties at a nearby marina and caravan park. | It said rising levels at the Pillings Lock posed a risk to properties at a nearby marina and caravan park. |
| Analysis | Analysis |
| By Rob Sissons, BBC East Midlands health correspondent | By Rob Sissons, BBC East Midlands health correspondent |
| The start of the year is never easy for the NHS, and a combination of the usual winter pressures, rising demand and flooding are the factors behind the declaration. | The start of the year is never easy for the NHS, and a combination of the usual winter pressures, rising demand and flooding are the factors behind the declaration. |
| Pressure has been building at the service since November, with the usual strains seen in winter arriving earlier than in previous years. | Pressure has been building at the service since November, with the usual strains seen in winter arriving earlier than in previous years. |
| The trust remains concerned about the numbers of ambulances kept waiting outside hospitals to accept patients. | The trust remains concerned about the numbers of ambulances kept waiting outside hospitals to accept patients. |
| There is extra emphasis put on emergency departments to accept patients as soon as possible. | There is extra emphasis put on emergency departments to accept patients as soon as possible. |
| Get in touch | Get in touch |
| Tell us which stories we should cover in Nottingham | Tell us which stories we should cover in Nottingham |
| Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, external, on X, external, or on Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk, external or via WhatsApp, external on 0808 100 2210. | Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, external, on X, external, or on Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk, external or via WhatsApp, external on 0808 100 2210. |