Emergency services across the West Midlands were pushed into overdrive as the region welcomed 2026, with a significant spike in demand for urgent medical assistance.
A Busy Start to the New Year
West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) reported a 9 per cent increase in calls on New Year's Day compared to the previous year. The period between midnight and 7am on 1 January proved particularly intense, with call assessors in Stafford and Brierley Hill handling a total of 1,510 emergency contacts.
This marked a notable rise from the 1,386 calls received in the same crucial early-hours window in 2025, cementing the start of 2026 as the second busiest New Year period in recent memory for the trust.
Overall Demand Across the Holiday
When looking at the broader two-day festive period encompassing both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, the total number of calls to the ambulance service was 9,289. This figure showed a slight decrease from the 9,965 calls recorded over the same two days the year before, indicating that the peak of activity was concentrated on the first day of the year.
The relentless pace of work placed immense pressure on the service's frontline and support teams, who worked tirelessly to respond to the surge in emergencies.
Leadership Praise for 'Real Team Effort'
WMAS Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, expressed his profound gratitude to the hundreds of staff and volunteers who worked over the holiday. In a statement, he issued a "massive thank you" to those who had forgone time with loved ones to work additional shifts.
"It’s not just those on the road, but the team in our control rooms and also the staff who support these colleagues in areas such as vehicle preparation, mechanics, stores, distribution and IT," Marsh said, highlighting the wide-ranging effort required to keep the service operational.
He concluded by stating, "It is a real team effort and I am immensely grateful for all that you have done to help the people of the West Midlands in their hour of need." The commendation underscores the critical role played by every part of the ambulance service during periods of exceptionally high demand, ensuring the public continues to receive emergency care.
