AMBULANCE bosses are appealing for people to use the emergency service wisely as they continue to receive record numbers of 999 calls.

The plea comes as the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust reveals it is now receiving daily levels of calls similar to what it expects tonight – New Year’s Eve – which is traditionally its busiest day of the year.

Compared with December 2011, the trust has already responded to more than 3,000 more patients this month.

It has also seen a 15% increase in the number of people calling with a potentially life-threatening illness or injury.

David Williams, deputy director of operations at the trust, warned that 999 calls for trivial incidents and minor conditions were potentially putting those with life-threatening illnesses and injuries at risk.

He said: “We continue to urge members of the public only to call us when someone requires immediate medical assistance for a condition such as a heart attack or stroke and ask that people who simply need advice or treatment for minor illnesses and injuries or transport to hospital consider the other services available.

“The 999 service should only be used for serious medical emergencies and to ensure that our valuable resources can reach those most in need quickly. We need members of the public to play their part and use the service responsibly.”

Tonight the ambulance service is running various initiatives across the county to ensure people with alcohol-related illnesses and injuries don’t place too much pressure on the service and on emergency departments in Yorkshire. This includes the use of police and paramedic teams in busy town and city centres.

Mr Williams added: “A party is no fun when it ends with a call to the ambulance service and stay in A&E. All it requires to have a good night is to be conscious of how much you’re drinking, plan ahead for transport home and look after yourself and your friends.

“Most of all remember that the 999 number should only be used in serious medical emergencies. People should use the service responsibly to help ensure that our valuable resources are available for those who need them most.”

The ambulance service prioritises 999 calls to ensure they are able to reach the most seriously ill and injured patients first and all other calls are categorised as per the national guidelines, which means a target response of between 20 minutes to an hour.

Those with the most minor conditions will receive telephone advice or be redirected to a more appropriate service.

People with minor illnesses and injuries are urged to use other services such as a visit to a GP, walk-in-centre, minor injuries unit or a pharmacist, or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or their out-of-hours GP service.