‘Black Eye Friday’: Ambulance crews brace for call-out surge

Emergency services say they are preparing for one of the busiest nights of the year, which traditionally falls on the Friday before Christmas and often sees a sharp increase in drink-fuelled injuries and assaults.

Last year, the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) received more than 4,300 calls across both 111 and 999, and attended over 1,200 incidents on that night alone.

Stu Holliday, head of emergency preparedness, resilience and response (EPRR) at NEAS, said: “When someone needs our service, we want to have the right resources available to respond.

“Delays can bring harm to patients so it’s important that we take every measure we can to reduce them.

“Winter is always busy for health services but particularly over the festive period like Black Eye Friday.

“The public can help us protect the services for those who need it the most.

“We want everyone to have a good time, but don’t ruin your fun by ending up in the back of an ambulance.”

Mr Holliday said people should stay safe, look after each other, and make sure they have plans to get home.

He also urged the public to use 999 and A&E “for emergencies only,” and advised using 111 online for non-emergencies or considering whether it is safe to make their own way to hospital.

Members of the public are being reminded to celebrate responsibly, know their limits, stay with friends, avoid walking home alone, and never drink and drive.

They are also being encouraged to avoid risky behaviour and confrontations.

Mr Holliday said: “Finally, please respect our staff and NHS colleagues, they are working hard and strive to give the best care, sometimes in very challenging circumstances.”

Dr Neil O’Brien, a GP and chief medical officer for the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said: “This time of year is traditionally the busiest time for our NHS and emergency services, and this year will be combined with the fact that many of our resident doctors in hospitals are taking part in strike action – so services will be very stretched.

“It’s so important that we make sure that our hospitals and 999 services are kept free to look after those who really do need emergency care.

“Avoidable incidents at this time of year, often linked to drinking too much, put a major strain on all health services.

“Enjoy the festivities, but please stay safe and remember to limit your drinking – as you don’t want to spend your Christmas in A&E.”
Ambulance teams will be supported by additional resources in city centre hotspots, including Newcastle’s Safe Haven van in partnership with Northumbria Police and Medicar in Cleveland which is supported by Cleveland Police.

Both will be in operation during these busy periods.

Susan Taylor, head of alcohol policy at Balance, said: “Paramedics, police, A&E doctors and nurses are already working flat out with winter pressures and have to deal with the inevitable impacts of alcohol, when people might be drinking a couple of weeks’ worth of alcohol in one night, often pre-loading with cheap, shop-bought alcohol.

“The North East is facing some of the highest rates of harm, and along with alcohol-related disorder and violence, this creates extra pressure on already stretched emergency crews on our streets and in our hospitals.”

This year, pressures on the system will also be affected by strike action.

Resident doctors from British Medical Association (BMA) in England are set to strike from 7am on December 17 until 7am on December 22, 2025.

Due to this period of industrial action, patients may experience some delays to our service. As a result, we are asking that you only call 999 in a life-threatening emergency and consider utilising other NHS services such as 111 online in non-emergencies.

The North East Ambulance Service is urging the public to use 111 online for non-emergencies.