The ambulance service in Kent could receive more than 170 calls an hour, as it prepares for one of its busiest nights of the year.

South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) is asking the public for its support and patience as it works hard to prioritise the most seriously ill patients throughout New Year's Eve.

Last year, SECAmb handled close to 850 calls to its 999 service in the seven hours after 8pm.

Calls handled per hour doubled from 61 between 8pm and 9pm, to 120 between 9pm and 10pm.

Demand was at its highest between midnight and 1am as staff in the trust’s two emergency operations centres managed 173 calls - almost three calls a minute.

The service gets more than 800,000 calls a year and on an average Saturday night, the number of calls per hour would typically be around 100, peaking at 130.

This New Year’s Eve is once again expected to place significant pressure on the service.

"NHS 111 will also be busy but by choosing the right service, people can really help us manage our demand..." Joe Garcia, executive director of operations

In light of this, the trust is reminding people that calls which do not relate to a serious emergency are likely to have to wait longer than normal at the busiest periods.

Anyone not facing an emergency is urged to call NHS 111 for medical advice.

Executive director of operations Joe Garcia said: "Our control room staff, crews and volunteers out on the road, as well as a variety of support staff will be working as hard as ever to ensure people get the help they require as we prioritise our response to the sickest patients.

"NHS 111 will also be busy but by choosing the right service, people can really help us manage our demand.

"On the night itself, we want people to have fun but be sensible and look out for each other. If people are drinking alcohol, I’d urge them to also have soft drinks and remember to eat.

"The vast majority of calls relating to alcohol on New Year’s Eve are avoidable.

"If these can be cut down we are in a far better place to respond to the unavoidable emergencies which are in urgent need of our attendance."

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