BOSSES of the region's ambulance service have issued a plea to the public as demand soars.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service says it is already dealing with 25 per cent more calls compared with pre-pandemic levels.

And it is warning of its "most challenging winter in history".

Now chiefs are asking people to use the service wisely and think before dialling 999.

Their message comes ahead of Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, when calls are predicted to surge from the current daily average of 3,400 to 4,500.

Nick Smith – executive director of operations for Yorkshire Ambulance Service – says that whilst measures are in place to help cope with the rise in demand, including more ambulances and frontline staff, members of the public have a key role to play.

He said: "The ongoing pressures of Covid-19 and exceptional levels of demand, higher staff sickness levels and wider pressures being felt across the whole of the NHS system have all impacted on our services.

"We're doing all we can to ensure that our patients get the help they need.

"We always prioritise our response to the most seriously ill and injured patients. The public can help with this by knowing when to call 999 and when another NHS service is more appropriate.

"If someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, you should call 999 immediately. If not, please consider other options."

Reasons for genuine 999 calls can include chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, severe loss of blood, serious burns and scalds, choking, fitting/convulsions, heart attack, stroke or major trauma such as injuries sustained in a road traffic accident.

For other illnesses and injuries, people are encouraged to consider healthcare services such as a pharmacist, visit 111.nhs.uk or call NHS 111.

Alternatively, contact your GP surgery or make your own way to A&E.

Mr Smith added: "Our dedicated staff are doing their best to respond as quickly as possible to all 999 calls, but we acknowledge that there may be a delay at exceptionally busy times. We would urge people not to ring us back to ask how long crews will be. This could delay us speaking to a caller about a seriously ill or injured patient. Only call us back if the patient’s condition worsens, they no longer need our help or if you are making your own way to hospital."