JUST under 1,000 emergency calls were made across the county to West Midlands Ambulance Service over the Bank Holiday weekend, a rise of almost seven per cent on last year.
With more than 11,000 emergency calls made to the service from Friday (August 26) to Monday, the county came out as the third highest to see an increase across the West Midlands, with 995 calls made – a rise of 6.9 per cent.
Only Staffordshire, which saw 2,224 calls made and Birmingham, which saw 2,925 calls made were higher than Worcestershire, as hundreds of ambulance staff were busy saving lives and providing care to people in their hour of need.
Craig Cooke, emergency services director for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “When many of us were enjoying time with friends, family and enjoying a few days off, our staff were working day and night to ensure people had the highest levels of clinical care when they needed it most.
“Given the expectation of high demand, we planned well and ensured we were able to deal with patients in a timely manner. I would like to particularly thank the many staff who were prepared to work additional shifts to ensure we had the cover we needed.
“But the weekend was not without its disappointments. To yet again have to report staff being attacked whilst trying to help people is extremely troubling.
“We’ll be doing everything possible to ensure the perpetrators are charged and hope the courts will deal with these cases in the toughest possible manner.
“It’s appalling that members of our staff have been left battered, bruised and in fear of harm whilst simply trying to carry out their job.”
