Think carefully before dialling 999

The North West Ambulance Service is asking people to think carefully before they dial 999 over the Easter Bank Holiday. The four day break usually sees an increase in the number of calls to 999 and visits to A&E and emergency departments, as a result of local GP practices being closed.

Director of Emergency Services, Derek Cartwright comments: ‘We get all kinds of calls, which you would think people would be able to deal with themselves. Things such as period pains, hangovers, even splinters.

‘Calls to 999 and visits to A&E seem to go up over the holiday period, often because people don’t know where they can get good health care advice when their GP practice is closed.

“The issue for us and our emergency department colleagues is that any increase in activity, means that it can take longer for us to respond to and treat people who have a genuine emergency – for example people with heart problems, who have had a stroke, had a serious accident or who have breathing problems.

“People also sometimes call 999 because they think this will get them seen quicker. That isn’t the case. The last thing people need to be doing over the Bank Holiday is sitting in an emergency department for hours when they don’t need to be there.”

The ambulance service is putting its weight behind the NHS Choose Well campaign, which aims to educate people about where to go to get the right treatment. “There is a lot of expert help and advice available for minor complaints right on your door-step. Pharmacy staff have a lot of knowledge and experience and you don’t need to make an appointment.

“Information is also available on how to see an out-of-hours doctor and where to find other services, such as walk-in centres, minor injuries units, which can provide treatment if you have an urgent health need that isn’t a 999 emergency.”

You can find information about NHS services available over the Bank Holiday by visiting www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or calling 0845 46 47.