Ambulance chiefs appeal for 999 sense as staff face greatest demand

AMBULANCE chiefs in Yorkshire have urged callers with minor problems to think again before calling 999 as staff approach their busiest days of the year.

Emergency callers in the last week have included a patient with toothache and another who wanted to know where to collect medication after being discharged from hospital.

Managers say some people make 999 calls in the mistaken belief they can jump queues at hospital emergency units – even though they will only be treated according to the urgency of their condition.

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Matthew Collins, a team leader in one of the region’s emergency operations centres, said: “Every week we receive hundreds of calls from people who are obviously wasting our time and it’s incredibly frustrating.

“What many don’t realise is that while we are dealing with a patient with toothache or a stubbed toe, we may be delayed in getting to a little girl nearby with serious breathing difficulties.

“All we ask is that before you pick up the phone to dial for an ambulance, think about whether someone else’s need could be greater.”

Ambulance service chief executive David Whiting added: “We expect demand for our service to increase further over the next few weeks due to ill health exacerbated by the cold weather and more people being out and about to celebrate the festivities so if we can reduce the number of inappropriate calls, this would be of great benefit to us and the patients we serve.”

Those with minor illnesses and injuries are being urged to visit to their GPs, walk-in-centres, minor injuries units, pharmacists or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.