YORKSHIRE Ambulance Service is struggling to cope with thousands of calls and people should only ring 999 if it is obvious someone has a serious or life-threatening illness or injury.
The organisation employs more than 4,600 staff but receives an average of 2,180 urgent calls per day.
Dr David Macklin, interim executive director of operations at the trust, said: "The service has received hundreds of 999 calls this week for seasonal-related illnesses and incidents and we are treating a lot of patients with breathing difficulties as a result of cold and viruses."
** The full story appears in the Barnsley Chronicle, dated December 19. **
