The project, which aims to help tackle hoax calling and inappropriate use of the ambulance service, revolves around a YouTube video, supported by an online seeding and PR plan.

Garo Berberian, executive producer, said: “Being out on the road with the ambulance service, along with an intense period of research, was absolutely paramount to the successful execution of the project. It also allowed us to realise, first hand, how incredibly hard the ambulance service works and the importance of cutting down hoax callers and inappropriate use.”

via The Drum.

7,956 people living in the Chesterfield, Bolsover, Bakewell and Matlock areas dialled the helpline direct between 25th October 2011 and 2nd January 2012, with another 2,425 automatically diverted to the service through their GP.

NHS 111 is a new health telephone number being piloted by NHS Derbyshire County and North Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

The number – which will replace NHS Direct at the end of March 2013 – is the number people needing health and medical care should use when it’s less urgent than 999.

via The Chesterfield Post.

Frustrated bosses and crews at South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) want to stamp out abuse of the 999 system which saw them receive 1,235 hoax calls last year.

They were also faced with a deluge of absurd requests including changing of light bulbs, providing lifts home, fixing TV remote controls and attending to pets.

The service is highlighting the scale of the problem to make time wasters think twice – and warned lives are being put at risk by people without a genuine emergency calling 999.

People with non life-threatening health issues are advised to contact their GP, NHS Direct, walk in centres or other out of hours health services.

via News in Maidenhead 

West Midlands Ambulance Service has revealed it receives a number of calls from people complaining of being hungover during their busiest two days of the year.

Last year the service received 2,050 calls between 8pm on New Year’s Eve and 5am on New Year’s Day.

That compares with an average of 2,500 calls for a whole day throughout the rest of the year.

via Coventry Telegraph.

Kerry Ann Moate, 18, of Samuel Jones Crescent, Little Paxton, was arrested at home after police traced her phone.

Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court heard Moate dialled the emergency services repeatedly between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

She admitted making the calls and will be sentenced in February.

via BBC News

You’d think that Christmas would be a time to spare a thought over whether or not your health issue was serious enough for a 999 call, but apparently not according to the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).

The NWAS have released a list of the most idiotic calls they received over the holidays, which included a male caller who dialled 999 to ask for an ambulance to help unblock his toilet.

Another man called up to say he had toothache, while a woman dialled an ambulance after getting a cotton bud stuck in her ear.

One caller rang up to complain about his itchy eye, although he had been experiencing problems for the previous three weeks.

via AOL Lifestyle UK.

The call was released by South West Ambulance in an attempt to make people realise pranks and hoaxes can stop genuine calls from getting through.

A spokesman said it treated all 999 calls as potentially life-threatening.

“Our call takers go through the process with callers and that will take time and they could be missing a call that’s a genuine emergency,” he added.

via BBC News

One person rang 999 after their relationship ended and another wanted a urine sample dropped off at hospital.

A parent complained to the emergency services that their child was being taunted and several people reported sore throats.

The calls were made to the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, which has seen a significant increase in time-wasting calls during the festive season.

Its three 999 centres have experienced a big rise in weekend calls and in the number of inappropriate emergencies reported.

A spokesman said: “A number of factors cause a rise in calls at this time of year.

“Unfortunately, people choose to call 999 when it’s not a life-threatening or serious situation and this impacts on the resources available for real emergencies.

“So please think before dialling 999; it is a lifeline for those who really do need it.”

Copyright 2011 Express Newspapers
All Rights Reserved

via EMS1.

via WalesOnline.

As emergency services and hospitals brace themselves for a significant increase in 999 calls over Christmas and New Year, ambulance bosses have urged people with minor illnesses and injuries to consider more appropriate healthcare services, such as a visit to a GP, walk-in-centre, minor injuries unit, pharmacist, or call NHS Direct.

via From York Press.