The South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust has declared a critical incident as the service faces extreme pressures, affecting its ability to respond to patients. 

This declaration followed an appeal to the public to think before calling 999, as the service faces extreme demand after the Christmas break.

At 11.30am on Wednesday, December 28, there were 482 patients waiting for ambulances across the south west, with 106 waiting at hospitals.

Wayne Darch, the service's deputy director of operations, said: “Please help us to help the patients who need us most by only calling 999 if a patient has a life-threatening condition or illness.

“We are doing all we can to manage these winter pressures and we are sorry that we are unable to respond to some patients as quickly as we would like. We will get to you as soon as we can.

“Please do not call back simply to ask for an estimated time of arrival of an ambulance. We cannot provide one, and it blocks our lines for other callers.

“I’d like to reiterate SWASFT’s thanks to our people and all our NHS partners working to deliver the best possible care they can for patients over the festive period.”

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For self-care, advice and support, call NHS 111, or attend a pharmacy for headaches, upset stomachs and other similar issues. Attend a minor injury unit for urgent, but not life-threatening conditions and injuries, such as fractures and sprains, and call your GP for persistent symptoms.

Only call 999 for life-threatening emergencies.