Call Assessors in the West Midlands Ambulance Service’s two emergency operations centres have answered emergency 999 calls in just two seconds on average.

Both bases in Brierley Hill and in Stafford have answered a combined total of over 1.3 million 999 calls so far this year, with over 173,000 in October alone.

Call Assessors, Dispatch staff and the Clinical Validation Team work tirelessly to provide around the clock care to people of the West Midlands.

Additionally, the centres answer emergency 999 calls for ambulance services across the country where there is a requirement for support with ongoing demand. West Midlands Ambulance Service’s Integrated Emergency and Urgent Care and Performance Director, Jeremy Brown said:

“A call answering time of two seconds, on average, is a remarkable effort and is one that doesn’t go unnoticed.  

“This has displayed, once again, the dedication and commitment our team puts into every single shift to delivery outstanding patient care, in what has been a significantly testing time for the service.

“We are at the starting point of a patient’s journey and need to do everything we possibly can to give the best care to our patients in their hour of need.”

This week, West Midlands Ambulance Service will be sharing an insight into their two Emergency Operations Centres and some of the incredible staff within them with the upcoming launch of the campaign ‘Is the Patient Breathing?’.

The campaign aims to raise awareness about what is happening behind the scenes when a 999 call is made and shows the contrasts between an emergency Category 1 response, and cases where an ambulance is not required but the most appropriate care referral is made.

To find out more about ‘Is the Patient Breathing?’ visit wmas.nhs.uk and keep an eye on social media.