Helping to keep London safe over the festive period

London District will once again provide resources for the city’s successful Operation Mitre over the busy festive period.

Reducing the number of patients visiting accident and emergency

Run jointly between St John Ambulance and the London ambulance Service, this combined resource will enable the treatment of patients with minor illnesses and injuries in order to reduce the number of patients visiting accident and emergency departments.

Stationed at Liverpool Street between 4pm and 2am, the service will be staffed by six volunteers from London District alongside London Ambulance Service Paramedics and will feature a mobile treatment centre, first aid tent and two ambulances.

Proud to be supporting the London Ambulance Service

Terry Wing, Assistant Staff Officer at St John Ambulance London, said:

‘We are proud to be supporting the hard work of the London Ambulance Service and play our part in making a difference to the lives of those in the city and to the demand on hospital staff. This initiative really helps to divert a high volume of alcohol fuelled  patients with injuries, which inevitably occur this time each year, away from hospital beds and home safely.'

This is the fifth year St John Ambulance London has provided the London Ambulance Service with support in running the treatment centre at Liverpool Street Station during the height of the office party season.

Duty Station Officer Nick Lesslar, for London Ambulance Service, said:

'In the run up to Christmas we see more and more patients who need our help because they've had too much to drink. People who are heading out to enjoy themselves should eat before drinking, take on plenty of water and make sure they know how they'll be getting home.

'Often the patients we see need time to sober up and that’s where this treatment centre can help. It also means we can keep people who've overdone it away from A&E departments and keep ambulances free for life-threatening emergencies.'

London District has confirmed its resource are:

• 2 and 3 December
• 9 December and 10 December
• 16 December and 17 December
• 23 December and 24 December.