Plans are underway to ensure EMAS is ready for another busy winter period.

As in previous years, the ambulance service is preparing for increased demand during December and January, especially on 'Black Friday' (20 December), New Years' Eve and New Years' Day.

On average, the 999 control room receives 2,147 calls every day.

But last winter it took 3,185 calls on 'Black Friday', 2,749 calls on New Years' Eve, and 3,519 calls on New Years' Day.

Chief Executive Richard Henderson said: "The whole health system continues to be under immense pressure and so we know that we will continue to be busy throughout this winter.

"This means that at times we will have to prioritise patients, treating those with urgent and immediately life-threatening injuries and conditions first and asking others to wait until crews become available.

"We will have additional staff out on the road and in our 999 control room on key dates which where we anticipate demand to be especially high and will deploy mobile treatment centres to specific locations to help reduce pressures on the NHS system.

"We continue to work with all hospitals across our region to reduce delays when handing over patients at accident and emergency departments so that our vehicles are back out on the road as soon as possible.

"We are working closely with GPs and our hospital and community health trust partners to reduce the number of people we take to accident and emergency by establishing and clarifying alternative pathways.

"We are supporting our staff to help keep them healthy at work and out on the road during what we expect to be a sustained period of high demand.

"However, we also need the public to play their part by taking self-care seriously, and if they need medical assistance, by ensuring they are accessing the best, quickest and most appropriate places to get the help they need - for example visiting a pharmacist or their local urgent treatment centre."

Mr Henderson said that to ensure ambulance crews are able to attend potentially life-saving incidents, such as patients suffering a heart attack or stroke, residents must only call for an ambulance in a genuine emergency.

"I am confident we have plans in place to ensure we are working as effectively as possible as a trust and as part of the health and care system, and I trust that our patients will make the right choices when accessing healthcare services.

"Furthermore, our longer-term plans will put us in a stronger position as we head for 2020.

"I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of our incredible staff who will be going the extra mile this winter to ensure our patients get the help they need," he added.

Plans in place to help manage the winter demand include additional resources from private ambulance services and reviewing the service's 4x4 availability ahead of expected inclement weather.

Since last winter, almost 300 new staff members have been employed to frontline teams, many of whom will be out on the road in time for the service's busiest period.

EMAS advice on how you can help the service this winter

• Take self-care seriously - do everything to keep yourself healthy including keeping your home heated to 18C, have regular hot meals and drinks, and wear a few layers of thin clothing rather than one thick layer as this will help you to keep warm
• Have your flu jab if you are eligible
• If you have diarrhoea and vomiting don't mix in public for 48 hours after the last episode, and definitely don't visit a hospital unless you're really ill. Children should stay away from school.
• Don't use A&E for minor illness or injury as you might risk the care of people who are seriously ill by diverting staff
• Know your limits if out celebrating during the festive season, make sure you know how you are getting home, and take responsibility for your actions
• Call NHS 111 for advice if you don't know where to go. They will advise you of the best place that can help
• Think about whether you really need to visit a GP - can the pharmacy help?
• Remember your GP practice has appointments in the evenings and weekend