The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) has declared a 'critical incident' as extreme pressure on the service led to long delays for patients waiting for an ambulance.
The incident was declared this afternoon, Monday December 19, as a result of 'unprecedented pressure' impacting the ability of the service to respond to patients. More than 200 people experienced significant delays waiting for an ambulance, and there was additionally a reduction in ambulance crew availability due to delays in handing over patients at hospitals in the region.
Stephen Segasby, chief operating officer at North East Ambulance Service, said: “Our service is under unprecedented pressure. Declaring a critical incident means we can focus our resources on those patients most in need and communicates the pressures we are under to our health system partners who can provide support.
