East of England Ambulance Service

The first weekend of pub reopenings after the coronavirus lockdown restrictions were eased was busy for the East of England Ambulance Service with its crews dealing with an increase in calls.

Demand doubled at times between 21:00 on Saturday and 04:00 on Sunday compared with the previous four weeks.

East of England Ambulance Service

Marcus Bailey, chief operating officer, said: "Thankfully the alcohol-related calls that we could have expected weren't as high as the small increase in calls for assaults but it was still a very busy night."

A "lasting memory" had been left by firefighters who have been working as ambulance drivers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Bedford firefighters enlisted to the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) have designed and built a memorial garden at Luton ambulance station to show their appreciation to their new workmates and in memory of those who have died of cancer and suicide.

They received help from Bruce Liddle of Newbury Farm Plant in Silsoe, who offered advice and supplied the plants for free.

Mike King, a firefighter, said: “They have made us feel so welcome and we thought the best way to say thank you was to leave a lasting memory by building the memorial garden – something they have been trying to get enough funds together to build for some time."

Simon King, head of operations at EEAST for Milton Keynes, Bedford and Luton, said it was a "phenomenal gift" and "the garden itself is magnificent and is a fitting tribute to our much-missed colleagues".

EEAST

As the weather heats up, the NHS East of England Ambulance Service is reminding us to stay safe and alert during the coronavirus pandemic.

It said as many are staying at home, to keep houses cool, to look out for others, to find cool places to sit and to drink plenty of fluids.

Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha group in Bedford

Yesterday was the 70th consecutive day that a religious group has made hot meals for people during lockdown.

Since 2 April, The Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha group in Bedford has made vegetarian meals for workers at East of England Ambulance service in Bedford and Kempston, other NHS workers, care home staff, the homeless, vulnerable and self-isolating people and the elderly, throughout the county.

SGRS Bedford

Group president Jaswinder Kumar, said: "Lots of people still need our help so we will continue to deliver hot food to those who are struggling."

He is proud of his team of about 10 volunteers and said they were "only too happy to help".

SGRS Bedford

Ambulance workers have praised an "amazing" tribute to the NHS which was spotted at the weekend.

A crew from the East of England Ambulance Service discovered the message on a front lawn in Suffolk.