Ambulance service '˜failing to reach some patients as quickly as it would like'
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust has responded to more than 30,000 extra calls since the start of the year compared with 2015 across Sussex, Surrey and Kent.
As well as high demand, delays at busy hospitals are a ‘significant issue’ across the whole region, and while the trust is working with hospitals to address the problem, it is ‘severely impacting’ SECAMb crews’ ability to respond to patients as quickly as it would like.
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Hide AdMeanwhile a national shortage of paramedics is also affecting the trust, which is working to fill a number of vacancies, including recruiting to positions in its emergency operations centres.
The trust has this week asked the public for its continued support and reminded residents only to dial 999 in an emergency.