Military called in to support East Midlands Ambulance Service

There is continued demand for ambulances and a number of colleagues are unwell or self-isolating.

60 military personnel will join the East Midlands Ambulance Service in the coming weeks to help respond to non-emergency patients.

This is in response to the continued demand on the service and the number of colleagues who are unwell or self-isolating due to COVID-19.

The military will work alongside the Urgent Care ambulance crews who attend non-emergency patients or patients who have already been seen by a healthcare professional such as a GP who has decided that they need to go to the hospital.

The aim of this is to reduce delays currently being experienced by non-emergency patients and will let the emergency crews focus on responding to emergency 999 calls.

Ben Holdaway, Director of Operations at East Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “As an ambulance service, the most important thing for us is that we are able to provide emergency care to our patients when they need it.

“Combined with the intense pressure the whole NHS system is under, and the high demand on our service, some of our less urgent and non-emergency patients are waiting longer for an ambulance than they should rightfully expect.

“Our new military colleagues will bolster the Urgent Care part of our service which attends non-emergency patients.

“This, in turn, will ensure our emergency ambulance crews can focus on attending the life-threatening and serious emergencies in our communities."

The military colleagues will not be driving on blue lights and will wear their military uniform while supporting EMAS.