The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is urging communities across the region to use its services responsibly this festive period, as it prepares for a challenging and busy time.
The Trust is expecting a 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. Boxing Day is traditionally the busiest day over the festive break for the service. In response to this, Trust leaders are asking communities to ‘help us to help you’ by...
The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is again urging the public to use 999 appropriately during industrial action on Monday (23 January) and to call only if it is a life-threatening or life-altering emergency.
On days where there is strike action, patients should continue to call 999 if there is a medical or mental health emergency [when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk]. Ambulances will be able to respond in these situations, but this may only be where there is the most immediate risk to life.
The South Western Ambulance Service is again urging the public to think carefully before dialling 999 during industrial action on Wednesday (11 January) and to only call if it is a life threatening or life altering emergency.
The Trust wishes to thank its people and NHS partners for their support during the previous industrial action, and to also thank the public for their support in using the service appropriately – it’s only with this support that the Trust was able to deliver the best possible care for patients.
While the NHS remains open to anyone that needs it,...
Winter is one of the busiest times of the year for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) – and we need continuing support from the public.
Ambulances must be available for patients who are facing a life-threatening medical emergency. To help with this, we are asking for the public’s support to ensure the service is used correctly.
You can help by choosing the right service to get the care you need:
Use your own medicine cabinet for self-care for issues like grazed knees
The 2022 ‘Outrun an Ambulance’ virtual event has been launched by the South Western Ambulance Charity.
People in the South West of England are being asked to rise to the challenge and support the region’s ambulance workers, by conquering the mileage an ambulance covers on an average shift while responding to people in urgent need.
The South Western Ambulance Charity, the charitable arm of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT), first launched the ‘Outrun an Ambulance’ fundraiser in 2021 and generated nearly £12,000 of vital donations.
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is reminding people only to call 999 in a genuine life-threatening emergency this Christmas.
The trust is anticipating a high demand for the 999 service over the festive period, due to the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic alongside normal winter pressures.
It has dealt with around 2,650 calls a day so far this month, and expects the final nine days to be among its busiest of the year.
SWASFT has revealed another selection of inappropriate emergency calls made to its control room recently:...
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is urging people to ‘Make the right call’ this winter by only calling 999 for life-threatening emergencies.
The Trust is expecting a significant increase in 999 calls over the Christmas period and beyond, due to the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic alongside normal winter pressures.
It expects to deal with almost 3,000 incidents a day during the next month, an increase of around 20 per cent compared to normal, with demand expected to be highest at weekends and on bank holidays.
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) has begun a new partnership with fire services in the region to boost its Covid-19 emergency response this winter. The mutual aid project, which first ran from April to August, will see fire personnel from Cornwall, Devon & Somerset, Avon and Gloucestershire fire and rescue services supporting the Trust from Sunday 1 November for four months. Under the agreement, firefighters will support ambulance crews by driving vehicles and work alongside clinicians to provide care and assistance to patients. The initiative is part of a...
The Chief Executive of South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is urging people only to call 999 in a serious emergency – as it deals with a surge in demand. The Trust has experienced a significant increase in activity in recent weeks, with its people managing 20,154 incidents during the past seven days (11 to 17 September). It dealt with more than 2,900 incidents a day on Saturday and Sunday, which was as busy as a typical New Year’s Eve. Activity increased to a peak of 3,030 incidents on Monday, and is expected to remain very high this weekend. Will Warrender,...
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is urging people to “think twice” before calling 999 for an ambulance this Bank Holiday weekend.
The Trust experienced its busiest summer week of activity in three years between 10 and 16 August when it responded to almost 20,000 incidents.
It has dealt with around 75,500 incidents during the past four calendar weeks, an increase of 6.4% compared to the same period last year.
SWASFT is reminding people to call 999 only in a medical emergency when someone is seriously injured or ill and their life is...
