South Western Ambulance Service chief's warning on 999 calls
The South Western Ambulance Service has warned of a rising number of unnecessary 999 calls.
The situation is causing concern following the introduction of the non-emergency 101 service with reports of paramedics being sent to treat people with minor problems.
Now SWAST Director of Delivery Norma Lane has appealed to people to consider other methods of getting medical help without the need to dial 999.
The trust is responding to 16 per cent more 999 calls than the same time last year and in recent weeks ambulance services nationally reacted to demand similar to New Year.
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“As a service, we remain committed to ensuring all our patients receive the medical help they need – but we are urging everyone in the community we serve to help us do that by thinking if there are better ways for them to receive treatment without the need to dial 999," Ms Lane said.
Comments
by KazVan
Thursday, March 21 2013, 5:27PM
“This is what happens when you award this Contract out to the likes of Harmoni. At least NHS Direct was staffed by Nurses (or with some medical background). I understand that Harmoni staff need no previous medical knowledge or experience. This will and has resulted in people who need an Ambulance not being able to get one as its crew are dealing with non-urgent calls to "earache" or "hiccups". Why do away with NHS Direct? - which everyone had just got used to, changing it yet again to the "inferior" 101 service. Lets hope that these are just teething problems that are resolved as a matter of urgency.”