COVID Pressure on Emergency Services

The pressure on hospitals and emergency services due to COVID-19 over the past 12 months has been unlike anything we’ve ever witnessed before.

This pandemic has been a stressful time for frontline workers. Emergency services have found themselves in unprecedented situations with information that has been constantly been changing and updating.

The overwhelming volume of cases has seen emergency services stretched to capacity and beyond. The additional stress of trying to maintain personal protection from the virus and keep their families and loved ones safe have only added to the immense pressure.

We’ve all heard the stories of ambulance crews waiting up to nine hours to transfer patients to hospitals, stories of COVID-19  patients dying in ambulance while waiting to be admitted, and even stories of the vile abuse carried out against paramedics as they through this pandemic.

There has been a huge emphasis on the supply of PPE and related equipment to keep our paramedics working safely and reduce their exposure to any risks. Manufacture and supply of other emergency equipment, such as medical equipment and emergency lighting has also been under pressure and we at White Knight have been working hard to ensure our equipment is available and efficient.

Constant testing for the virus, and the knowledge that they are regularly being exposed to it has certainly taken its toll on emergency services. The introduction of vaccines has taken some of the pressure off our paramedics and ambulance crews, but they still face extreme pressure which is unlikely to abate any time soon.

After over a year of battling COVID-19, paramedics are tired, demoralised and in a lot of case their mental health is under severe strain.

White Knight would like to acknowledge the vital role carried out, not only by paramedics, but all emergency service key workers. We are extremely grateful, thank you.