1) Ambulance services in the UK saw a significant increase in suspected COVID-19 incidents from February to July 2020, peaking at over 25,000 incidents per month. 2) The percentage of suspected COVID-19 patients conveyed to hospitals by ambulance services ranged from 32% to 54% across different services. 3) Ambulance services implemented new triage processes, recruited additional staff and clinical volunteers, and increased use of video consultations to manage the increased demand from the pandemic while keeping patients out of emergency departments when possible.

1. Suspected COVID-19 999 incidents
received by ambulance service
Is there an ambulance on the way? How ambulance services
managed the demand peaks during COVID-19
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
Feb 20 Mar 20 April 20 May 20 June 20 July 20
SuspectedCovid-19incidents
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
Mark Kingston on behalf
of the study team
Suspected Covid-19 patients
Attended by ambulance service
(Feb to July 2020)
• 59% to 100% per service
Conveyed to hospital
• 32% and 54% per service
Funded by: MRC via UKRI-DHSC COVID-
19 Rapid Response Rolling Call

2. DAREN MOCHRIE
Chief Executive North West Ambulance Service (NWAS)
Chair of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE)
https://nhsproviders.org/in-conversation-with-daren-mochrie
‘999 and 111 call volumes increased significantly as COVID started to become prevalent
but, as lockdown took effect, 999 activity reduced considerably, due to fewer people
moving about.’
‘The sector was able to recruit and train additional staff and volunteers to support
frontline operations. (NWAS) were able to recruit an extra 450 staff.’
‘We were able to deploy nursing, paramedic and medical students to support our NHS 111
and 999 emergency operation centres.’
‘Another change is around video consultations, particularly in the 999 and NHS 111
centres, to increase our ability to safely keep patients in their local communities without
the need to send an ambulance or take them to EDs.’ NEW TRIAGE PROCESSES
URGENT RECRUITMENT
DIFFERENT CLINICAL GROUPS
DEMAND VARIATION

3. TITLE: What TRIage model is safest and most effective for the Management of
999 callers with suspected COVID-19? A linked outcome study (TRIM)
AIM: To describe: triage models used in 2020 COVID-19 pandemic in the UK &
call categorisation, attendance and conveyance associated with each model
Methods: UK Survey and 999 call centre data (complete)
Linked outcome data (999/hospital/NHS Digital), staff interviews
OUTPUTS: a) Description of models based on survey
b) Patient outcomes report
c) Synthesis of qualitative and quantitative data
Contact for more information
m.r.kingston@swansea.ac.uk
Is there an ambulance on the way? How ambulance services
managed the demand peaks during COVID-19