Plea made for ‘sensible ambulance use’ amid winter weather

People have been requested to use their common sense when it comes to calling emergency services this winter, as vehicles are experiencing increased difficulties in reaching homes in challenging weather conditions.

The East of England Ambulance Service has issued advice on the correct circumstances in which to call emergency healthcare services and these include when an individual is unconscious, bleeding heavily, experiencing chest pains or has possibly broken a bone.

According to the organisation, it saw a surge in the number of people calling 999 on Saturday December 19th, as many had slipped over on ice and hurt themselves.

“We are relying on the public’s good sense to use the 999 service wisely, which will help us to respond to people who need our assistance for true emergencies,” stated Paul Leaman, an associate director at the service.

In related news, a report from the Care Quality Commission in October concluded that the Great Western Ambulance Service is failing to fully meet the needs of those who use it.