AMBULANCE crews were kept busy on New Year’s Eve with 67 more incidents than last year – though 999 callswere down.

The East of England Ambulance Service reported it received 1,616 emergency calls between 7pm and 5am – peaking between 1am and 2am – compared to 1,737 last year.

The fall in 999 calls suggests the campaign to encourage people to call 111 in non-emergencies has paid off.

However, out of the calls made, crews went out to 700 incidents between midnight and 5am on New Year’s Day, compared to only 633 during the same period last year.

The period is traditionally the busiest of the year for ambulance services, with many being stretched by the volume of incidents, and matters were not helped by both Southend and Basildon hospitals issuing black alerts.

These are declared when A&E departments are overcrowded and advise people to stay away unless they are severely ill or critically injured because of a lack of available beds.

Southend Hospital has been on black alert since last Monday, a situation that will be reviewed next Monday.

As of Tuesday, however, Basildon’s status had been downgraded to red alert – where it remained for the rest of the week through to New Year’s Eve.

A hospital spokesman said: “We were extremely busy over the NewYear’s Eve period and experienced a surge of people with minor injuries at about 11pm but staff coped well.

“The red alert recognised that we were under pressure, but were not having to call a black alert, which means there are not enough beds.”

To cope with the expected demand, the ambulance service brought in extra staff in 999 control rooms and on the front line, increased ambulance cover and set up minor injury units in some towns and cities in partnership with local organisations.

Chief executive Anthony Marsh said: “I can’t thank our staff and volunteers enough for working through the night, allowing the public to see the new year in safely.

“I spent the night out and about meeting crews and saw at first hand how hard everyone was working. Their commitment and dedication is truly remarkable.

“I’m proud of all our staff and volunteers who have been carrying out lifesaving work in the East of England over this Christmas and new year period.”