Welsh Ambulance Service urges restraint this 'Mad Friday'

17.12.25

The Welsh Ambulance Service is asking revellers to show restraint this Mad Friday.

Mad Friday, otherwise known as Frantic Friday or Black Eye Friday, is the last working day before Christmas for the majority of workers and typically marks the start of the festive party season.

While most nights out end harmlessly, excessive drinking can result in avoidable injuries for some and put unnecessary strain on the ambulance service and wider NHS.

Jonathan Edwards, the Trust’s Assistant Director of Operations, said: “Please drink responsibly and always have a designated driver or plan for alternative transport if consuming alcohol.

“Please use emergency services appropriately and only call 999 for serious or life-threatening emergencies.

“Don’t forget about the alternatives to 999, such as the NHS 111 Wales website and Albot - The NHS Wales Digital assistant, which can help you find answers to most questions and guide you to the right place for the health information and advice.

“Please also show respect and consideration for emergency workers.

“Unfortunately, a small minority of people still show aggression towards our crews, with physical and verbal assaults taking place all over Wales.

“Our ambulance crews are there to help people, but they can’t fight for someone’s life if they’re fighting for theirs.

“Crews might have no choice but to leave a scene if their personal safety is compromised, and this isn’t helpful for anyone, least of all the patient.”

To help manage the busy festive period, the Welsh Ambulance Service will be deploying additional services in some health board areas.

In Cardiff, the Cycle Response Unit and Mobile Response Team will operate on key dates leading up to Christmas, including on Mad Friday.

The Mobile Response Team are based on foot and tasked into high density pedestrian areas such as Cardiff City Centre in the run up to Christmas.

Often, it can be difficult to get larger vehicles into such areas, so this team, equipped with medical equipment and a stretcher, are able to assess and provide initial treatment.

Where clinically safe to do so, they will discharge the patient, but when this is not possible they utilise the stretcher to transport the patient to a suitable location where they can meet with an emergency ambulance for onward transport.

In the capital and in north Wales, Alcohol Treatment Centres will also be running ahead of Christmas.

The Welsh Ambulance Service has also introduced new 999 call categories designed to ensure every patient receives the right care for their needs.

That might be a sending an ambulance, a referral to the patient’s GP, self-care advice or something else.

Jonathan added: “We understand that this is a special time of year, where many people will be out celebrating with friends and family.

“Revelling and consuming alcohol may be part of those celebrations but if you are planning on drinking over the festive period, all we ask is that you please do so responsibly.”