Ambulance service declares critical incident
Getty ImagesSouth East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) has declared a critical incident following one of its busiest days of the year.
The critical incident was declared on Friday, which means the ambulance service is under extreme pressure that threatens its ability to deliver safe and effective care.
Secamb, which covers Kent, Sussex and Surrey, said it followed a difficult few days and a period of sustained and significant demand.
Strategic commander James Pavey said that the service was "focusing our resources on life threatening emergencies".
In a statement, a Secamb spokesperson said: "At the point of declaration, there were a significant number of outstanding calls waiting for an ambulance response, including a number of higher acuity incidents.
"This follows one of the busiest days we have seen this year, alongside ongoing pressure across the wider health and care system and additional demand linked to the current hot weather."
'Support us during this time'
Pavey added: "By declaring a critical incident, it allows our teams to focus our efforts on those patients who need us most. We are therefore focusing our resources on life threatening emergencies.
"People contacting us with less serious conditions are likely to experience longer waits.
"We are asking the public to support us during this time by only calling 999 in a life threatening emergency."
People are urged to call NHS 111 or go online if they require medical help, but it is not an emergency.
The public should also continue to take precautions, including remaining hydrated and avoiding the hottest parts of the day, Secamb added.
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