The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service is providing additional cover for Cowes Week in order to manage the increase in demand from visitors and racers.

An additional paramedic vehicle is in service for the whole week (Saturday 11th – Saturday 18th) from 12 noon – 8pm to coincide with the main racing times and anticipated increased demand. An additional ambulance will also be in service for the fireworks on Friday 18th.

St John Ambulance is supporting the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service by providing foot patrols and ambulances during the fireworks display. Red Cross will be providing cover for the crowds at East Cowes.

Keith Morey, Civil Contingencies Manager, IW Ambulance Service, said, “This is generally a very busy time of year for the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service and even more so this year because the end of Cowes Week coincides with the Garlic Festival. Working with St. John Ambulance, additional cover has been put in place for both events to manage the demand and avoid having to call an ambulance unnecessarily.”

“We would like to stress however that 999 services are for serious and life-threatening conditions only, and if anyone is unsure whether their condition is urgent, to contact NHS 111 which has been specifically designed to give advice to people who think they have an urgent health need that isn’t a 999 emergency.”

The Island’s ambulance service delivers all emergency and non-emergency ambulance transport including the Jumbulance for the Island’s population. With 21,712 emergency calls and 25,292 emergency vehicles despatched each year the service operates from a single base across the Island. The service is also responsible for transporting patients to mainland hospitals when required