South Central Ambulance Service declares critical incident due to "extreme pressures" on services

South Central Ambulance Service has declared a critical incident due to "extreme pressures".

The service, which covers West Berkshire, made the announcement late last night on its social media channels and is urging people to only call 999 in a life-threatening or serious emergency.

It said it would continue to prioritise patients with life-threatening injuries and illnesses.

The service said its staff were working "extremely hard" to manage the situation and that by declaring a critical incident it meant it could focus its resources on those most in need.

In a post on Facebook the ambulance service said: "SCAS has tonight declared a critical incident due to extreme pressures across our services.

"Our staff are working extremely hard to respond to calls and manage the situation and we continue to prioritise those patients with life-threatening injuries and illnesses.

"If your situation is not a life-threatening or serious emergency then we will discuss your needs and provide advice. If your call does not require an emergency ambulance response then you could be asked to make your own way to hospital.

"Declaring a critical incident means we are able to focus our resources on those patients most in need and communicates the pressures we are under to our patients and health system partners.

"Please support us by using our services wisely and also utilising 111.nhs.uk for urgent medical advice and guidance wherever possible and appropriate to do so."