Calls on Hogmanay were up almost 40% on last year’s levels, the Scottish Ambulance service has reported. The Service experienced a big increase in demand over Hogmanay, with Control Centres receiving 2,565 calls between 7pm on 31st December and 7am on 1st January – an increase of 38.4% compared to the same time last year.
Between midnight and 7am there was a 45% increase in calls compared to the same time last year. During this period call takers answered 1,879 calls, an increase of 583 calls.
Additional call handlers, dispatchers, ambulance crews and support staff were on duty to deal with the high levels of demand that always make Hogmanay one of the busiest nights of the year.
Pauline Howie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “The festive period has been a challenge for the Service, due to a significant increase in demand and pressures on the system. Yet again, our staff in our Control Centres, on the frontline, support staff and volunteers have risen to this challenge and showed what an incredible group of dedicated people they are.
“Working in often challenging and relentless circumstances, they did a fantastic job of managing and responding to this big increase in demand and showed that across the country, we continue to strive to deliver the highest level of care to our patients.”
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