WHILE most people were partying the night away, West Midlands Ambulance Service was responding to more than 1,400 emergency calls in the late hours of New Years Eve.

It was business as usual for the staff and, as is tradition, the last four hours of 2014 and the first of 2015 saw the service respond to increased calls related to alcohol, including assaults, falls and unconscious patients.

However, compared to the previous year, the usual surge in calls after midnight did not occur, giving staff a calmer start to 2015.

Anthony Marsh, chief executive, said: “The plans and preparations for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day have, once again, been second to none.

“Thank you to staff and volunteers for giving up spending time with their loved ones this new year to provide additional support at work.

“As we start 2015, it’s a chance to reflect on what has been an incredibly challenging year. I cannot remember a year like 2014 – demand just kept increasing with more pressure in the system that I can recall for a very long time.

“Despite this, I am immensely proud of the way that, as a trust, we have met this challenge and continued to provide a very high standard of service to patients.

“This would not have been possible without the hard work, dedication and passion of my staff and I am extremely grateful for their continued efforts.

“I would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.”