AMBULANCE crews in the north west say they are facing a crisis as emergencies increase and 999 calls go unanswered.

Health trusts across the region are feeling the strain as more people dial 999 every year, but the services don't have enough staff or vehicles to deal with all the calls.

Health professionals' union Unison has warned there will be a crisis in the region if additional resources are not found.

A log leaked to the M.E.N. shows Mersey Regional Ambulance NHS Trust, which covers Cheshire, failed to answer some 999 calls and people needing emergency treatment were told to wait because no ambulance was available.

Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Ambulance Service NHS Trust has seen a large increase in calls this year. Last weekend calls were up 14 per cent on the same period last year and this year the total volume of calls is almost double that forecast.

Over the Hallowe'en weekend, BT complained to the Cheshire ambulance service eight times because 999 calls weren't answered and finally police had to take calls from people needing emergency medical care.

The log for Mersey Regional Ambulance NHS Trust paints a bleak picture. People in life-threatening situations had to wait more than ten minutes to get through on a 999 call and the crisis worsened when hospital accident and emergency departments refused new admissions, so ambulances had to act as taxis shipping patients from hospital to hospital to find a bed.

The trust blamed the crisis situation on a £4.9m hole in its budget.

Head of health at Unison, Stephanie Thomas said: "There could be a crisis because of this increase in demand and we aren't even at our busiest period yet."

Though GMAS says that it is coping with its 900 emergency calls a day, the trust is under increasing pressure and extra funding is needed. Spokesman John Williams said: "Staff said this weekend was punishing." rebecca.camber@men-news.co.uk

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