AMBULANCE crews will take their skills to the heart of Ipswich's clubland this evening to help ensure revellers' safety on the busiest night of the year.

Elliot Furniss

AMBULANCE crews will take their skills to the heart of Suffolk's clubland this evening to help ensure revellers' safety on the busiest night of the year.

The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAS), along with Suffolk police and St John Ambulance, is setting up a minor injuries unit outside Pals nightclub in Ipswich to treat those who become ill or injured during the New Year's Eve celebrations.

It will be the fourth year that the unit, which will operate from 9pm to 3am, has been set up.

Last year it treated about 16 people and the knock-on effects were so successful that the EEAS reached 100% of its most urgent calls elsewhere in Suffolk within eight minutes - smashing the national target of 75%.

Jason Gillingham, EEAS interim clinical general manager for Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, said in previous years the unit had treated people for minor head and foot injuries, falls, assault injuries and intoxication.

He said: “New Year's Eve is a particularly busy and intense time in the centre of Ipswich for us.

“While everyone is having a good time we will be working hard to make sure they are kept safe and well and don't start the New Year badly.

“This unit brings us right to where we are needed and also frees up resources over the rest of the county. It is great news all round.”