Paramedics in personal protective equipment will be deployed across London in greater numbers this weekend in anticipation of a spike in drink-related incidents on Super Saturday.
London Ambulance Service says its front-line crews will continue to treat every patient as potentially having coronavirus and will wear PPE for their own protection.
London firefighters who have been volunteering with LAS since the pandemic began, to enable it to put more ambulances on the road, will also be on duty.
Darren Farmer, LAS’s gold commander for the weekend, that an already “enhanced” number of ambulances would be “further enhanced” in anticipation of a surge in 999 calls, but declined to say how many emergency vehicles would be available.
He appealed to the public to drink sensibly, saying this would help protect emergency medics left “exhausted” by the demands of the pandemic.
Mr Farmer told the Standard: “This weekend is a concern because the pubs will be reopening. It’s a step into the unknown, to some extent, but we have anticipated an increase in demand and we have brought in additional resources.
“However, we are asking the public to protect the NHS by behaving appropriately, sensibly and responsibly.”
He advised revellers to eat before they drink and to look after their friends to ensure everyone gets home safely.
Crews will wear a standard level of PPE for each patient – apron, gloves, facial covering and a visor mask.
Mr Farmer said: “We are still in the middle of a global pandemic and Covid is out there. Our staff need to be protected against it. We will be wearing PPE for every patient. Clearly that is another consideration on the demand for our services.
“That is where the public can protect us and protect the NHS by not creating unnecessary demand on our services.
“We are looking to put our more vehicles in anticipation of increased demand. Our hope is that the public will respond as they have done up until now and act responsibly and drive that demand down.
“At all times, the last thing we need is high jinks and New Year’s Eve-style demand. We have to recognise the phenomenal work that our staff and those throughout the NHS have delivered, and the pressures that they have been under.
“We do have to recognise that our staff are exhausted. It’s been an incredibly hard time for everyone. But part of that recovery does involve socialising. The return to some form of normality is a good thing.”
