South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) says a 20% jump in emergency 999 calls has put local health services under pressure in Banbury, Oxfordshire, after a period of sustained sub‑zero temperatures led to more accidents and illnesses this month. The surge began around mid‑January and has caused delays for patients waiting for medical help.
SCAS says the 20% increase was recorded between 15 and 29 January 2026, compared with the seasonal average. Many of the additional calls related to elderly people falling on ice and to respiratory problems made worse by the cold.
The higher patient volume has created a bottleneck at Horton General Hospital in Banbury, managed by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH). Early reports indicate some ambulance handovers at the Horton have exceeded the national 45‑minute safety standard during peak periods, leaving crews stuck at hospital sites rather than available to respond to new emergencies.
OUH managers say they are working to free up beds more quickly to reduce handover delays; at the same time SCAS points to recent improvements in its emergency operations centres following a December 2025 CQC inspection. However, staffing and vehicle availability in the community remain concerns when local hospitals are full.
According to NHS England’s Ambulance Quality Indicators and local reporting, response times for serious calls have slowed during this busy fortnight. Health services and SCAS are urging people with non‑urgent problems to use NHS 111 (111.nhs.uk) so 999 lines and ambulances can be reserved for life‑threatening emergencies.
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