Ambulance Service under "severe pressure"

Members of the public are being reminded to think before dialling 999 as North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) reports an increase in pressure. Calls to 999 and 111 on Boxing Day increased by a third compared with last year. NEAS answered more than 6,800 calls yesterday (26 December) compared with 5,100 on Boxing Day 2016. Over the four days from Saturday 23 December to Boxing Day there has been a staggering 49% increase in calls to 999 and 111 in the North East. North East Ambulance Service answered ...