In the last four weeks North West Ambulance Service say they've seen a 15 percent increase.
 
Yesterday the East Lancashire Hospitals trust admitted they were stretched to the limit due a rise in admittions.

Althought the majority are genuine emergencies the ambulance service want to ensure people are accessing the right services.

A North West Ambulance Service spokesperson said:  The Service has seen a 15% rise in the number
of 999 calls during the last four weeks, an increase in activity which is being echoed throughout the North West NHS system, particularly in the last week.

 'The majority of the calls we are receiving are for genuine life-threatening emergencies, but in order to effectively respond to these and those who urgently need our help, we would like to remind people that 999 services are for emergency conditions only.   

'If your condition is not critical, please consider calling NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk  In Lancashire, the new 111 number is also available for help and advice.’

Russ McClean from the East Lanc's Patient Voices Group has concerns about people calling the new 111 number which was introduced in November.

He says there have been a few teething problems with the system especially when using a mobile.

"What I'm hearing form people time and time again is that calls form mobiles aren't getting through they're being told the service isn't available in this area when of course it is"