THE number of borough incidents that ambulance services attended the scene after emergency calls increased by more than 1,800 over the course of a year.

A Freedom of information request revealed there were 45,494 borough incidents in 2019 where ambulance service resources were sent to help.

This was 1,846 more than there were in 2018, with that figure being 43,648.

In 2017, that number was 44,947.

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In Leigh, there were 9,425 incidents in 2019 where ambulance services were sent to the scene, higher than both 2018 (8,973) and 2017 (9,248).

There were 2,272 incidents in Atherton last year, higher than both the previous two years (2,263) in 2018 and 2017 (2,241).

In Tyldesley, there were 3,251 incidents in 2019, an increase from 2018 (3,170) and 2017 (3,117).

A spokesperson for North West Ambulance Service said: “We do see a rise in emergency calls year on year, which is reflected in the figures for the Wigan borough area. 

"Overall we responded to 1.1 million incidents in 2018/19.

“We have invested in additional ambulances and introduced new ways of working to help us manage demand and give all of our patients the right care in a timely manner.

“This includes initiatives to help us treat patients within the community wherever possible, both over the phone and face-to-face. This works by linking in with alternative services that can meet the needs of the patient, helping to reduce unnecessary A&E visits or ambulance responses.   

“As always, the public can assist by only calling 999 in emergencies and considering other healthcare providers such as GPs and pharmacies if their condition is not serious.

"NHS 111 Online is available for urgent medical advice if it’s not an emergency.”