MP urges people to think before dialing 999 (From Stourbridge News)

MP urges people to think before dialing 999

4:00pm Thursday 11th December 2008

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STOURBRIDGE MP Lynda Waltho is backing pleas by paramedics urging people only to call 999 in a real emergency after seeing first-hand how stretched the ambulance service is in the run-up to Christmas.

West Midlands Ambulance Service is appealing to people to use the service sensibly after figures showed December 8 was busier than last New Years Eve - traditionally one of the busiest days of the year - receiving 1,039 calls across Birmingham and the Black Country compared to 997 on December 31 2007.

The Trust says staff are being put under enormous pressure due to the dramatic rise in 999 calls - dealing with not just emergency call-outs but responding to alerts from people who have simply stubbed their toe or who are experiencing a nosebleed.

After spending a 12-hour shift with the town’s ambulance crew this month MP Lynda was full of praise for the life-saving first-on-the-scene medics. But she was concerned about the number of minor health scares the ambulance was called out to.

She said: “It looks to me that people don’t really realise what an emergency is.

“Out of about 12 or 13 incidents on the day, there were really about three that turned out to be true emergencies - but the service has to err on the side of caution.”

Anthony Marsh, chief executive of West Midlands Ambulance Service, echoed her thoughts, saying: “Our staff are performing near miracles to keep the 999 service as safe as possible, but it has now got to the stage where the system will become unsafe unless there is a significant change.

“Our crews are working long hours and doing everything they can to ensure people in need of our services get the care they need but the reality is we are still getting too many people calling us for conditions such stubbed toes, paper cuts to fingers, nose bleeds and people who say they have chest pains when it is in fact their stomach.

“Our staff are all too often left stunned when they find a patient who has a minor condition; could have got treatment at a range of facilities other than a hospital A&E Department; and could just as easily have taken themselves or got a family member to take them for that treatment.

“For every call like this, it means it is more difficult for us to get ambulances to people in genuine need such as those with heart attacks, strokes and other life threatening conditions.”

He urged people to use their common sense and other health resources before dialing 999, unless their condition requires urgent medical assistance, in which case they should go to A&E or call an ambulance.

And he stressed that patients do not get seen quicker at A&E if they arrive by ambulance.

He urged people - before dialing 999 - to always make sure they keep sticking plasters for minor wounds and grazes plus remedies for coughs, colds and headaches at home; to visit the pharmacy for over-the-counter medicines and advice; call NHS Direct for advice (0845 46 47) or log onto website nhsdirect.nhs.uk for advice; use a ‘walk-in’ treatment centre / visit a minor injuries unit; or make an appointment with a GP.

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