West Midlands | 18 Feb 2012
West Midlands Ambulance Service is appealing to the public to think before dialling ‘999’ for an ambulance.
The service is currently experiencing an increase in demand and would remind people that the 999 service is for life-threatening conditions and emergencies, such as choking, chest pain, stroke, serious blood loss or a state of unconsciousness.
Using the ambulance service for its intended purpose (to tend to the critically ill and injured) increases the chance of a speedy response to those in genuine need.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “We urge the public to stop and think very carefully before dialling 999 – is your condition of an emergency nature that requires an immediate 999 medical response?
“Very often we receive 999 calls to patients that could have sought treatment or advice from another area of the NHS, whether that be NHS Direct, the local pharmacy, a walk-in centre or a call to their GP, who all operate an out-of-hours service.
“If our crews and vehicles are called inappropriately, it could result in delays in getting to patients with genuine life-threatening illness or injury.
“A common misconception is the belief that patients would be seen more quickly at hospital if they arrived in an ambulance. This is definitely not the case. They would be assessed in the same way with more serious cases brought toward the front of the queue, with everyone else having to wait their turn.
“The Trust’s staff are working hard with colleagues at hospitals around the region to ensure that patients receive the best treatment but the public must play their part in the process. The whole of the NHS is under extreme pressure and the public must be sensible when accessing healthcare, including emergency services.”
