Paramedics hit out at non-emergency callers

Maxwell Kusi Obodum • Published 14 Jan 2010 13:54 0 Comments

Share this

OVER stretched ambulance crews warn that attending uneccessary 999 calls could prevent them from reaching other critically ill patients in time.

The South Central Ambulance Service has received a deluge of calls during the cold snap as motorists and pedestrians struggle with icy roads and pavements but have also been held up by people complaining of stubbed toes, cut fingers and even hangovers.

SCAS Berkshire's head of operations Paul Jefferies confirmed his staff would always answer 999 calls but warned people to only call an ambulance in medical emergencies such as suspected heart attacks, heavy blood loss, unconsciousness, broken bones, severe breathing difficulties, burns and allergic reactions.

He said: "While we're dealing with non-emergency calls we may be unable to get to people who urgently need our help and this can put the lives of other patients at risk.

"People think that if an ambulance takes you to hospital, it speeds up the process at hospital but this is not the case. Patients are treated at hospital according to the urgency of their medical need, regardless of how they made their way to hospital''

Paramedic Jo Mildenhall, who works in Newbury and was recently contacted by a hoax caller, said: "I can't believe that people could be so malicious even in light of the weather situation. Unnecessary calls just tie up vital resources.

Non-emergency patients can contact their local pharmacies or the NHS Berkshire West Minor Injuries Unit at West Berkshire Community Hospital, Thatcham, on 01635 273300, or NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Follow @rdgchronicle