The Ambulance service is under immense pressure. Paramedics state that the ambulance service is being misused – an article published on 11 January 2023 on the BBC News website states that “Ambulance workers have become so chronically overworked and overstretched with this exponential demand, that quite simply we cannot cope. We cannot carry on being the magic fix for the NHS”.
Do you really need to call 999? Many people automatically dial 999 without thinking about the options available to them.
A question I often ask on a First Aid course is: “I’ve broken my finger – do you need to call me an ambulance?” … amazingly many times I’ve been told “Yes”! If the only injury is a suspected broken finger, and I’m able to walk, and get in a vehicle to be driven to a Minor Injuries Unit, why would you waste time for both the 999 call handler and the ambulance staff? If you’re unsure where to go, then calling 111 is one way to find out your nearest most appropriate urgent help centre for any emergency.
For many smaller common injuries, some First Aid knowledge and a first aid kit can enable you to sort things out yourself. Attending a First Aid course can give you confidence in dealing with emergencies, so get yourself booked onto a course. If you need some extra help, there are a number of options open to you:
Your Local Pharmacist – is a great stopping point for assisting with many things relating to high temperatures, coughs, colds, sore throats, dry eyes, mild allergies such as hay-fever or nettle rash, diarrhoea/vomiting and sunburn etc. If they feel you need more help they will direct you where to go.
Your GP is the stopping place for something which needs more professional help including with pre-existing medical conditions. Many GP’s have linked physiotherapy appointments available which can sort out things like sprains/strains and back problems.
Call NHS 111 if:
· You are unsure whether you need to go to A&E
· You need to locate an emergency dentist
· You need to locate an appropriate Minor Injuries Unit
· Your GP practice is closed, and you or a family member are too unwell to wait until they open
Sometimes they will arrange for a qualified healthcare professional to call you back with advice about how to manage the problem that is occurring or book you an out of hours appointment to see a healthcare professional such as a GP.
Minor Injuries Units are places which you can self-refer to. If you have a ‘walking wounded’ casualty who you can easily transport, they are the place to go for things including deeper cuts that may need stitching, if you’re unsure if you are dealing with a soft tissue injury or a broken bone (they have x-ray facilities on site) and smaller burns/scalds. [Caution: some MIUs are operating on a call in advance and book into a slot due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so you may want to check before you travel.]
If someone is struggling with their mental health, there are a number of Free Mental Health Helplines which include:
- Samaritans – 116 123
- SANEline – 0300 304 7000
- National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK – 0800 689 5652
- Campaign Against Living Miserably – 0800 58 58 58
For more information, guidance and support relating to mental health issues, visit the Mind website.
Save a 999 call for those times when someone is suffering from a serious medical emergency or has a serious injury where their life is at risk. This can include:
· Loss of consciousness
· Cardiac arrest (remember that CPR you practiced on a manikin at your first aid course…)
· Serious medical emergencies including heart attack, stroke, severe asthma attack, anaphylaxis and seizures
· Severe burns
· Major trauma – including a casualty with multiple injuries who cannot easily be moved e.g. following a road traffic accident or fall from height, or a serious head injury where the casualty is confused
· Serious bleeding which you are struggling to stop
Ambulance or self-transport?
If it’s a serious medical emergency or trauma, the paramedics will be treating the casualty on the way to hospital. If however there is a big wait for an ambulance and the casualty is mobile, sometimes they can get medical help faster if you arrange your own transport to A&E. If in doubt phone 111 or 999 for a more serious emergency and ask professional advice.