HEALTH staff across South Gloucestershire, Bristol and North Somerset are bracing themselves for one of the busiest nights of the year.

The 999 service for emergencies is increasingly being used by those who could be treated elsewhere, often contributing to delays for patients who need to see emergency clinicians.

This increase in demand is being felt by urgent care providers across England and Wales – and specifically in the West Country.

Consultant in Emergency Medicine at the Bristol Royal Infirmary Rob Stafford said: “Emergency Departments across the South West are facing significant pressures this winter, particularly over this bank holiday period.

“The A&E department is set up to deal with real emergencies – things like suspected strokes, major traumas and serious accidents. If you are not suffering from an emergency, then we would advise patients to seek alternative sources of treatment.”

One of the main issues this New Year is likely to be the number of those attending A&E with alcohol related injuries. The former Avon region is a hot spot for binge drinking according to official statistics.

Public Health England has created an interactive map with information on the use and abuse of alcohol across the former Avon area.

Rob Stafford added: “We expect to see increased numbers of patients in A&E this year because of alcohol. I would advise people to enjoy alcohol responsibly and take responsibility for their actions. Sadly, we do see a number of patients every New Year who have sustained serious injuries as a result of alcohol.”

South Western Ambulance Service has been dealing with unprecedented levels of demand. Over the Christmas period, call volumes were around 20% higher than in previous years, and far in excess of predicted volumes.

Dr Andy Smith, Executive Medical Director at SWAST, said: “A medical emergency demands urgent treatment, which is what the 999 service and A&E departments are there for.

“If you are suffering a life-threatening emergency or need urgent medical help then please call 999 or attend A&E. If you call 999 or attend an A&E department with something that isn’t an emergency, it is possible that you will have a long wait.

“You may also hold up treatment for someone who genuinely does need it.”

It’s not just the ambulance service and A&E departments that feel the strain over New Year, the NHS 111 service, introduced in 2013, has seen a significant increase in demand this festive period – and not always for the right reasons.

To give an idea of the increased demand, on Boxing Day in 2013, the NHS 111 service in the Bristol area took 1383, calls, this year that leapt to 2319 calls

Some of the reasons people have called the service including:

• A patient who wanted to know if they could drink coffee with their medication.

• Patients who hadn’t picked up their repeat prescription or who hadn’t got to the chemist in time before it closed.

• A patent had a sore throat for one day.

• A patient who had woken up that morning with a cough.

• A patient who had been sick on one occasion.

Dr Smith continues: “We don’t want to trivialise the issue, but during periods of increased demand, patients need to act responsibly and contact the NHS with genuine medical issues.

“Thankfully, the majority of people act responsibly and work with the health service, seeking out treatment from the most appropriate places. We hope that people will enjoy the New Year celebrations and we would ask them to look after each other.”

BOOZE BRITAIN

The advice from the NHS is about enjoying alcohol in moderation – if you’re going to drink, make sure you’ve eaten beforehand; try swapping for lower alcohol drinks or alternating with a non-alcoholic one and make sure you drink plenty of water.

The day after the night before is difficult, so think ahead and make sure you have everything you need. A well-stocked medicine cabinet is essential, and so pop to your local pharmacist to stock up. For information on where to find your local pharmacy open over the New Year, and for other local health services, visit https://www.northsomersetccg.nhs.uk/your-health-local-services/health-services/find-local-health-services/

Whilst your hangover might be bad, it’s not likely to be life-threatening so why not follow the advice from the NHS? Visit nhs.uk/Livewell/alcohol/Pages/Hangovers.aspx.