at hospital emergency departments in the region rose by a third on England match days during the last tournament.Derek Cartwright, Director of Emergency Services at NWAS said: “Looking back at the last World Cup allows us to make predictions for this year.
“The combination of expectations and emotions, hot weather and alcohol consumption is likely to result in more 999 calls for domestic violence and assaults, dehydration and other related conditions.”
In preparation for the matches, NWAS plans to increase the number of ambulances, managers and control room staff to work on England match days to handle the predicted increase in calls.
Derek continued: “Ambulance crews are highly skilled individuals trained to help people who find themselves in life-threatening emergencies and this sort of behavior can have an immense impact on our ability to respond to those who need us. Many people don’t realise that whilst ambulance crews are dealing with incidents as a result of drunken anti-social behavior, they are delayed in getting to people that really need help.”
“We are urging people to think first, drink sensibly and remain aware of their actions so they can enjoy the matches in good spirit and, essentially, keep ambulances free to attend to those with serious life threatening conditions.
“We want to make sure that the World Cup 2010 is one people will remember for all the right reasons and that our crews are there for the people who really need us. Please act responsibly and enjoy the matches in the spirit such a great sporting event is all about.
“It is also important to remember hangovers, headaches and feeling under the weather after a night out can generally be treated in your own home using medicine from your local pharmacist and getting plenty of rest.”
For health advice call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
ENDS
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For more information contact the Press Office on 0161 279 4800
or email: Fiona.Bateson@nwas.nhs.uk or Sarah.Morley@nwas.nhs.uk
Notes to Editors:
§ North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust was established on 1 July 2006 with the merger of the Cumbria, Lancashire, Mersey Regional and Greater Manchester Ambulance Services, the aim being to provide the best possible ambulance and pre-hospital care service to the people of North West England.§ The Trust works with other partners to develop new ways of delivering emergency and urgent healthcare to the patient.§ The Trust will seek to minimise unnecessary emergency hospital admissions through the provision of suitable alternative pathways of patient care and by working with our NHS partners.§ We will strive for patients to receive appropriate care and experience from consistently getting the right response, first time, in time and in the right place.§ The service covers an area of over 5,400 square miles with a population of over seven million people.§ The Trust employs almost 6,000 staff.§ Almost 1,000 emergency and non-emergency vehicles operate in the region.§ Over one million emergency calls are received each year.