One in four 999 calls is for non-emergency (From Warrington Guardian)

One in four 999 calls is for non-emergency

AMBULANCE bosses are appealing to the public to use the service only in an emergency, to avoid putting lives at risk.

Mersey Regional Ambulance Service, which covers Warrington, received more than 20,000 calls during November, and it is believed that around 5,000 of these were inappropriate, or in other words they were not an emergency.

Bosses say that although this is a huge number, they recognise that every one of the 5,000 callers believed that they had a genuine medical emergency, which led them to dial 999.

Typical inappropriate calls have included a range of minor problems, which include insomnia, earache, a sensation of deafness or toothache.

There have also been calls from people who said that they were hungry, had hiccups or a boil.

Janet Davies, Mersey Regional Ambulance Service's chief executive, said: "Inappropriate use has got to stop. We are turning into the first port of call rather than the last to help people resolve all manner of medical queries and dilemmas.

"This is putting significant and unnecessary pressure on our ambulance crews. I would urge people to contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 first if they are in any doubt, before dialling 999 for an ambulance."

She added: "Our message is simple. Help us to help you and remember that lives could be put at risk if ambulances are used to deal with non-emergencies. I am urging members of the public to play their part."