Be prepared for #EEASTER

As we ask the public to ‘be prepared’ ahead of the Easter bank holiday, we’re hoping our NTK readers take this on board too and share some common sense advice with loved ones.

If people you know have a long-term condition, make sure there’s enough prescription medication at end to get them through the long weekend. Also:

• remind them that if they feel unwell now, they need to seek medical advice before Easter starts to avoid deterioration
• help them ensure the medicine cabinet is fully stocked so that common ailments can be treated at home
• talk to them about knowing their limits about alcohol
• remind them that urgent medical advice can be sought via 111 24/7.

Meanwhile, last year our call handlers received more than 12,300 emergency calls last Easter and we responded to just over 9,180 incidents during the long weekend. We’re making sure the public are sighted on this using our normal communications channels, and we’d really appreciate you sharing info you see on social media from us and other NHS colleagues to ensure as many people as possible see the messages. If you’re on Twitter, follow @EastEnglandAmb and #EEASTER, and we’re on facebook too.

Everyone hopes it’s a steady period of time for all our colleagues, and we can’t forget the great contribution our community first responders make; last year, they attended 390 medical emergencies during the long weekend. If you can help people enjoy a happy and safe bank holiday by telling them to be prepared, it really does all help.

Published April 11th, 2017