Luton top for ambulance call-outs

The East of England Ambulance Service said that while most people were sitting down to enjoy their Christmas dinner, paramedics, control room teams and support staff were kept busy dealing with calls throughout the two counties.

Watford was the second busiest town, with 50 calls, while there were 48 calls in Stevenage. In Dunstable there were 21 emergency call-outs.

Ambulance service spokesman Gary Sanderson said: “On past experience, Christmas Day can be a very quiet or exceptionally busy day for our crews. This year was no different and our staff were kept busy throughout the 24 hour period.

“The calls we attended ranged from heart attacks, falls, breathing problems, road collisions, strokes, chest pains, unconsciousness and back pains. Sadly there were a few calls relating to alcohol which ended up in assaults.

“Luton is always our busiest ambulance station, because it’s such a big town.”

He added: “Unfortunately we did attend emergency calls to people who didn’t really require a ‘blue light ambulance’, for instance a man who wanted us to check his electricity supply, which is clearly not a 999 call.

“We are asking the public to please call 999 if someone is having a heart attack, having a stroke or if they are unconscious. “If you have a sore throat or a sprained ankle, please seek an alternative advice, like NHS Direct or your GP.”