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Hoaxers and 'time wasters' putting lives at risk
By Hugh FortJanuary 25, 2010
Ambulance bosses have revealed ‘time wasters’ are putting people’s lives at risk by calling 999 for stubbed toes, cuts and even hangovers.
South Central Ambulance Service also received hoax calls during the heavy snow, with crews battling through the freezing conditions to find it was someone’s attempt at a joke.
As well as hoax calls, the service says its time is also wasted by people who don’t need emergency help.
Bosses are now encouraging people to consider whether they really need to call 999.
Paul Jeffries, head of operations in Berkshire, said the service would always respond to emergencies calls but hoaxes and unnecessary calls led to the waste of vital resources.
He said: “While we’re dealing with calls of this nature we might not be able 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 a hospital according to the urgency of their medical need, regardless of how they made their way to hospital.”
The service is advising people to call 999 in an emergency, which includes suspected heart attacks, chest pain, unconsciousness, heavy blood loss, fits and severe allergic reactions.
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