Experts from Northumbria University and the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) have partnered for a research project aimed at developing new guidance for ambulance trusts assisting frequent callers.

Often, such callers may suffer from complex mental and physical health issues.

Researchers from Northumbria’s Department of Social Work, Education, and Community Wellbeing, along with NEAS professionals, are conducting interviews with frequent callers, frontline paramedics, health advisors, and senior clinical advisors.

Northumbria's Dr Tracy Collins, leading the study, said: “It became clear from our conversations with colleagues and practitioners that ambulance trusts supporting people who call frequently often have social needs in addition to medical needs.

“We’re keen to know more about individual experiences and allow those people who do self-identify as being lonely and socially isolated to the ambulance service to have their voices heard. We need to begin to understand their unmet needs so we can begin to make recommendations for alternative routes of support.”