Ambulance calls surge to about 1,200 in July

Jersey ambulance teams responded to almost 1,200 calls in July - about 300 more than its monthly average.

The ambulance service said it responded to 1,194 calls last month, with its recent monthly averages being closer to 900.

The service said of all the calls attended 30% of people were checked, treated and let go at the scene.

It asked people calling the emergency service to only do so if seriously ill or injured or if their was life at risk. It asked people to consider other care pathways including self-care, community pharmacies and their GPs.

It said: "Our emergency ambulance service is there for people who are seriously ill or injured, particularly where there is an immediate threat to life.

"The Emergency Department is also available for serious injuries and illnesses requiring urgent hospital assessment."

Out of the 1,194 calls, the service said 100 of them were immediate life-threatening injuries and illnesses, 502 serious but not life-threatening, 320 urgent and 161 less urgent incidents. A total of 57 calls were referred to GP admissions.

The ambulance service said by people choosing the most "appropriate healthcare service", it helped ensure its ambulances remained "available for those who need them most".

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