Cat scratch, sore throat and bitten tongue among East Lancs 999 call outs

12:30pm Tuesday 19th March 2013 in News

A CAT scratch, a sore throat and an accidentally bitten tongue were among the ailments reported to the ambulance service this weekend.

The North West Ambulance Service received 4.5 per cent more calls over the St Patrick’s Day weekend this year compared to last year and bosses urged people to be more considerate when dialling 999.

Head of the service Peter Mulcahy said the trust received more than a million emergency calls throughout the region every year and more were being referred to the Urgent Care Desk or NHS Direct.

Mr Peter Mulcahy said: “The 999 number should be reserved for serious or life-threatening incidents only and patients should consider other healthcare pathways if they feel unwell or have a very minor injury. This weekend in Blackburn we dealt with 999 calls for someone who had been scratched by a cat, someone with a sore throat, a case of conjunctivitis and an incident where someone had bitten their tongue while eating.

“All of these calls were referred to NHS Direct and an emergency ambulance was not sent.

“All of the cases highlighted could be safely treated at home or following advice from a pharmacist and we would urge people to consider those options before dialling 999.”

The Urgent Care Desk is manned by specialist paramedics who can speak to callers once it is established that the 999 call is not a serious life-threatening incident.

They then determine which is the best and most appropriate level of care required.

This may mean a visit from an ambulance crew to assess and treat or a referral to the patient’s GP or other local healthcare service.

Comments (12)

2:21pm Tue 19 Mar 13

happycyclist says...

You're dealing with VERY thick people here. And their breeding programme is out of control. Only a matter of time before someone rings 999 for a lift because they're late to their signing-on at the jobcentre.
You're dealing with VERY thick people here. And their breeding programme is out of control. Only a matter of time before someone rings 999 for a lift because they're late to their signing-on at the jobcentre. happycyclist

2:38pm Tue 19 Mar 13

Ian the Beancounter says...

Don't joke about it, Happy! I worked at BT for a short period in the early 90's and manned the Operator and 999 services. In those days, if an ambulance was called, it HAD to turn out. You'd be surprised at the number of 999 calls at closing time - all for lifts home! What didn't help in those days, however, was one particular ambulance service (who shall remain nameless) who went to answer phone whilst you were putting through emergency calls!
Don't joke about it, Happy! I worked at BT for a short period in the early 90's and manned the Operator and 999 services. In those days, if an ambulance was called, it HAD to turn out. You'd be surprised at the number of 999 calls at closing time - all for lifts home! What didn't help in those days, however, was one particular ambulance service (who shall remain nameless) who went to answer phone whilst you were putting through emergency calls! Ian the Beancounter

3:53pm Tue 19 Mar 13

happycyclist says...

They should take the calls from these nuggets, send a meat-waggon disguised as an ambulance out, and quietly remove them from the gene pool.
They should take the calls from these nuggets, send a meat-waggon disguised as an ambulance out, and quietly remove them from the gene pool. happycyclist

4:00pm Tue 19 Mar 13

darwenTower says...

I at least wish they wouldn't give these wastes of space any publicity.
I at least wish they wouldn't give these wastes of space any publicity. darwenTower

4:14pm Tue 19 Mar 13

gutterpress says...

I bet every one of them was a half educated fat chav with a drug and alcohol problem
I bet every one of them was a half educated fat chav with a drug and alcohol problem gutterpress

4:17pm Tue 19 Mar 13

Casper's mum says...

darwenTower wrote:
I at least wish they wouldn't give these wastes of space any publicity.
I would name and shame them, then bill them for time wasted!
[quote][p][bold]darwenTower[/bold] wrote: I at least wish they wouldn't give these wastes of space any publicity.[/p][/quote]I would name and shame them, then bill them for time wasted! Casper's mum

4:42pm Tue 19 Mar 13

Izanears says...

Maybe if doctors did night calls there would be no need to call an ambulance.
Maybe if doctors did night calls there would be no need to call an ambulance. Izanears

4:56pm Tue 19 Mar 13

Sajdin says...

izanears, what on earth has that got to do with these calls? you idiot !
izanears, what on earth has that got to do with these calls? you idiot ! Sajdin

5:32pm Tue 19 Mar 13

darwenTower says...

Casper's mum wrote:
darwenTower wrote:
I at least wish they wouldn't give these wastes of space any publicity.
I would name and shame them, then bill them for time wasted!
I'd happily see them shot.
[quote][p][bold]Casper's mum[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]darwenTower[/bold] wrote: I at least wish they wouldn't give these wastes of space any publicity.[/p][/quote]I would name and shame them, then bill them for time wasted![/p][/quote]I'd happily see them shot. darwenTower

8:05pm Tue 19 Mar 13

Black Car Guy. says...

gutterpress wrote:
I bet every one of them was a half educated fat chav with a drug and alcohol problem
You have just discribed a dumb dingle. I say this because they smashed up the toilets at Ewood. Most of them dont have brain cells, if they did there was be a mass suicide on their hands.
[quote][p][bold]gutterpress[/bold] wrote: I bet every one of them was a half educated fat chav with a drug and alcohol problem[/p][/quote]You have just discribed a dumb dingle. I say this because they smashed up the toilets at Ewood. Most of them dont have brain cells, if they did there was be a mass suicide on their hands. Black Car Guy.

11:26pm Tue 19 Mar 13

Major Tom says...

All that is needed is Rolf Harris doing a voice over about knuckle dragger's and where they originated from. I bet Blackbun with Darwin is top of the list.
All that is needed is Rolf Harris doing a voice over about knuckle dragger's and where they originated from. I bet Blackbun with Darwin is top of the list. Major Tom

5:35pm Wed 20 Mar 13

nelly68 says...

Another example of the Nanny State gone mad - people can't even think for themselves anymore and expect someone else, in this case a Paramedic, to solve all their problems. The only cure is enforced euthanasia
Another example of the Nanny State gone mad - people can't even think for themselves anymore and expect someone else, in this case a Paramedic, to solve all their problems. The only cure is enforced euthanasia nelly68

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