South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) is reminding people in Hampshire and the Thames Valley to keep 999 free for life-threatening or serious emergencies as we approach the Friday before Christmas – traditionally one of the busiest nights of the year.
The appeal comes as latest figures show that on 8 December, SCAS took 1,987 calls – the highest daily total in 2025.
Tracy Redman, assistant director of operations for Hampshire, said: “Winter is usually the busiest time of the year for the NHS as the cold and wet weather sees a rise in respiratory illnesses and winter bugs, as well as an increase in slips, trips, falls and road traffic collisions. This year, we are also seeing record numbers of people admitted to hospital with flu and that adds even more pressure on the system across the board.”
And with the Friday before Christmas the traditional starting point for when friends, family and colleagues begin celebrating together, SCAS is asking people to follow these simple steps to help reduce the strain on emergency services and keep 999 free for people who really need it:
- Celebrate sensibly – know your limits with alcohol, eat something before going out and pace yourself. Over-indulgence can lead to injuries and illnesses that put extra pressure on ambulance crews and A&E departments
- Know when to call 999 – only call for a serious or life-threatening emergency, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain or severe injury
- Use 111 – call or go online at 111.nhs.uk for urgent but not emergency health concerns, you will receive a call back from a healthcare professional or be directed to the most appropriate local NHS service for you
Within the South Central region, there are some night-time city centre services that revellers can also use should they need medical or other help on a night out. These include First Stop in Reading (open 9pm-3am every Friday and Saturday night) and Safe Space in Portsmouth (open 10pm-3am every Friday and Saturday night).
“These town centre support services help keep people safe and avoid ambulance call outs as paramedics based at the units can often treat most people they see without them having to go to hospital”, added assistant director of operations for the Thames Valley, Kirsten Willis-Drewett. “By looking out for each other on your night out, planning how you’ll get home safely and getting help early if someone in the group starts to feel unwell, you can protect your friends, yourself and help us focus on those who most urgently need us this Christmas and New Year.”
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