Menu
22/04/2015
Ambulance Service Urge People To Use Service Appropriately
The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) has received more than 1,200 hoax calls over the last two years, with front-line crews dispatched to almost half believing them to be genuine emergencies.
The NHS Trust has released the figures to raise awareness that such "inappropriate or prank calls" can divert ambulance resources from genuine emergencies such as cardiac arrests, strokes and patients with breathing difficulties.
EEAST published a list of eight inappropriate calls:
• 'Is it ok for a little squirrel to die?' - Caller tries to argue the case that an ambulance should have been sent to a squirrel in the Epping Forest area of Essex who had been the victim of a 'hit and run'. Two ambulance crews had been dispatched until it was established that the 'someone' was a squirrel.
• "I've gone out shopping and locked myself out of my house." - Shoeburyness woman needing emergency locksmiths.
• "My dog is vomiting blood" - woman in Wisbech calls 999 for a sick pet. She is advised to phone a veterinarian.
• "I've eaten too much take-away food" – Chelmsford woman feeling a bit sick after a day of indulgence.
• "My feet hurt after wearing too small shoes," – Peterborough man needs an emergency cobbler.
• "I've dropped my burger and it is bleeding," – Basildon caller has take-away accident.
• "I have been dieting and feel lethargic" – Hitchin man's slimming efforts suffer a setback.
• "I need to go to hospital and I don't get paid until tomorrow" – Benfleet man calls 999 for a free taxi service.
Gary Morgan, Regional Head of Emergency Operations Centres, said: "We're an emergency service and our front-line staff are trained to save lives.
"However, sadly, some of the calls we receive are not even medical related and we will refer hoax calls to the police.
"We prioritise all life-threatening calls to get the quickest possible response. However, that response can be affected if our call handlers and front-line staff are dealing with inappropriate 999 calls.
"We would strongly urge people who think it is funny to make a prank call to stop and think about the potential consequences."
(MH/CD)
The NHS Trust has released the figures to raise awareness that such "inappropriate or prank calls" can divert ambulance resources from genuine emergencies such as cardiac arrests, strokes and patients with breathing difficulties.
EEAST published a list of eight inappropriate calls:
• 'Is it ok for a little squirrel to die?' - Caller tries to argue the case that an ambulance should have been sent to a squirrel in the Epping Forest area of Essex who had been the victim of a 'hit and run'. Two ambulance crews had been dispatched until it was established that the 'someone' was a squirrel.
• "I've gone out shopping and locked myself out of my house." - Shoeburyness woman needing emergency locksmiths.
• "My dog is vomiting blood" - woman in Wisbech calls 999 for a sick pet. She is advised to phone a veterinarian.
• "I've eaten too much take-away food" – Chelmsford woman feeling a bit sick after a day of indulgence.
• "My feet hurt after wearing too small shoes," – Peterborough man needs an emergency cobbler.
• "I've dropped my burger and it is bleeding," – Basildon caller has take-away accident.
• "I have been dieting and feel lethargic" – Hitchin man's slimming efforts suffer a setback.
• "I need to go to hospital and I don't get paid until tomorrow" – Benfleet man calls 999 for a free taxi service.
Gary Morgan, Regional Head of Emergency Operations Centres, said: "We're an emergency service and our front-line staff are trained to save lives.
"However, sadly, some of the calls we receive are not even medical related and we will refer hoax calls to the police.
"We prioritise all life-threatening calls to get the quickest possible response. However, that response can be affected if our call handlers and front-line staff are dealing with inappropriate 999 calls.
"We would strongly urge people who think it is funny to make a prank call to stop and think about the potential consequences."
(MH/CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 April 2009
Ofcom Fines BBC £150k Over Prank Calls
The BBC has been fined £150,000 by Ofcom over prank phone calls made by Russell Brand (pictured) and Jonathan Ross to actor Andrew Sachs. The sum related to the two episodes of the Russell Brand show broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on the 18 and 25 October 2008. In its report, the media regulator found the broadcasts had breached it's Broadcasting Code.
Ofcom Fines BBC £150k Over Prank Calls
The BBC has been fined £150,000 by Ofcom over prank phone calls made by Russell Brand (pictured) and Jonathan Ross to actor Andrew Sachs. The sum related to the two episodes of the Russell Brand show broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on the 18 and 25 October 2008. In its report, the media regulator found the broadcasts had breached it's Broadcasting Code.
14 March 2005
Scarborough drowning tragedy victims named
A mother and her son who drowned in a tragic accident yesterday have been named as Kim Barrett, 33 and Luke Greenwood, 11. Coastguards are continuing to search for Ms Barrett's daughter, 13-year-old Aimee Greenwood.
Scarborough drowning tragedy victims named
A mother and her son who drowned in a tragic accident yesterday have been named as Kim Barrett, 33 and Luke Greenwood, 11. Coastguards are continuing to search for Ms Barrett's daughter, 13-year-old Aimee Greenwood.
01 March 2006
Firms face £50,000 fine for 'silent calls'
Companies will face fines of up to £50,000 if they pester customers with silent calls, Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Johnson has announced. The announcement follows an analysis of responses to a consultation launched by the Department of Trade and Industry on silent calls. The previous fine for making such calls was £5,000.
Firms face £50,000 fine for 'silent calls'
Companies will face fines of up to £50,000 if they pester customers with silent calls, Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Johnson has announced. The announcement follows an analysis of responses to a consultation launched by the Department of Trade and Industry on silent calls. The previous fine for making such calls was £5,000.
30 July 2013
New Measures Announced To Tackle Marketing Calls
Culture Secretary Maria Miller has announced a number of measure to tackle nuisance and unwanted marketing calls. As part of the plan regulators will be give new powers to take action against companies, including cold callers being unable to conceal their number. It is hoped to make reporting these type of calls easier.
New Measures Announced To Tackle Marketing Calls
Culture Secretary Maria Miller has announced a number of measure to tackle nuisance and unwanted marketing calls. As part of the plan regulators will be give new powers to take action against companies, including cold callers being unable to conceal their number. It is hoped to make reporting these type of calls easier.
14 August 2013
999 Sex Caller Jailed
A man who made obscene and sexually explicit calls to police 999 operators has been jailed. Aston Jordan, from Slade Road in Erdington, was sentenced to six months by Birmingham magistrates.
999 Sex Caller Jailed
A man who made obscene and sexually explicit calls to police 999 operators has been jailed. Aston Jordan, from Slade Road in Erdington, was sentenced to six months by Birmingham magistrates.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A fine dry days weather with sunshine quite widespread, particularly from mid-morning. Temperatures best across southern districts. North to northwesy breezes occasionally freshening around the coasts. Maximum temperature 15 °C.Tonight:Most dry with good clear spells bringing a rural frost in the south for some. Cloudier around northern coasts where the odd light shower may develop. Northerly breezes persisting. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
