South Central Ambulance Service declares critical incident

South Central Ambulance Service made the announcement last night which will now see the trust focus its efforts on those who are most in need. 

For those whose situation is not life-threatening or a serious emergency, the service says it will discuss the persons needs and provide advice. 

Meanwhile, anyone who is calling due to a situation which does not require an ambulance response, may be asked to make their own way to hospital. 

READ MORE: University Hospital Southampton suspends visiting amid norovirus and coronavirus cases

In a post on social media, South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said: "Our staff are working extremely hard to respond to calls and manage the situation and we continue to prioritise those patients with life-threatening injuries and illnesses.

"Declaring a critical incident means we are able to focus our resources on those patients most in need and communicates the pressures we are under to our patients and health system partners.

"Please support us by using our services wisely and also utilising 111.nhs.uk for urgent medical advice and guidance wherever possible and appropriate to do so."

The service operates across Hampshire, as well as Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Sussex and Surrey.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News