CHOOSE WELL
The 999 service is for life-threatening conditions and
emergencies, such as choking, chest pain, stroke, serious blood
loss or a state of unconsciousness.
Using the ambulance service for its intended purpose (to tend to
the critically ill and injured) increases the chance of a speedy
response to those in genuine need.
Only use 999 in a real emergency, where you believe life is
at risk.
If you become ill or injured and need medical help or advice,
follow the guidelines below to avoid the need to dial 999 and
‘Choose Well’ from other services available from
the NHS.
Step 1: Self Care
Keep your own medicine cabinet stocked with common remedies for
coughs, colds and headaches as well as items such as sticking
plasters for minor wounds and grazes.
Very minor illnesses and injuries can be treated in your home
using over the counter medicine and having plenty of rest.
Step 2: Your local pharmacist
Visit your local pharmacy for over-the-counter medicines and
advice.
Get advice on illnesses and medicines when you are suffering
from common health problems, which do not need to be seen by a
nurse or doctor.
Step 3: Call NHS Direct
They can give a wide range of confidential health advice
and information about many conditions 24 hours a day.
Telephone:0845 46 47
Website: www.nhs.uk
Freeview: Channel 100
They can also help you find health services in your local
area.
Step 4: Use a ‘walk-in’ treatment centre, urgent care
centre or minor injuries unit
They offer confidential healthcare advice and all the
services you would expect from your local GP including
immunisations, presciptions as well as some minor surgery and help
for minor injuries. They are usually open from early morning
until late at night and you do not need an appointment to
be seen by an experienced nurse or GP.
These centres offer a range of treatments, complementing
the services provided by local GPs and hopsitals.
Step 5: GP
Make an appointment with your own GP when you have an illness or
injury that will not go away. They provide medical and
health advice, examinations, immunisations, prescriptions as well
as clinics.
There is an out-of-hours service available, where in an
emergency a GP can visit your home. If you need this service,
telephone your local surgery and follow the recorded
instructions.
Step 6: A&E or 999
In an emergency go to your local A&E department or call 999
for an ambulance.
A&E departments are found at most hospitals and they help
people who show signs of being very ill or badly injured.
If you are unfortunate enough to still need to call 999, tell
the operator that you want to speak to the ambulance service
and you will be transferred to one of our call
takers. Please remember to keep calm so that information can
be recorded accurately and quickly, and listen carefully to the
advice given and questions asked by the Emergency Medical
Dispatcher, so that we can decide what help to send you.
Choose Well - Highlighting the Issue
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The role of
West Midlands Ambulance Service is to attend life-threatening
cases. Every day, the service receives more than two thousand ‘999’
calls, only ten percent of which are genuine emergencies. Clearly
in these situations, it is entirely appropriate for people to dial
999 to access emergency care.
The remaining ninety percent of calls consist of more minor
cases (eg. minor cuts and wounds, strains and sprains or coughs,
colds, flu and generally feeling unwell) that can be dealt with by
other areas of the NHS, such as GP surgeries, pharmacists and
walk-in centres."
Posters, as pictured above are displayed on ambulances to
highlight the issue and to raise awareness of the role of the
ambulance service.
The radio commercials below illustrate some of the 999 calls
received, which are not life threatening.
Choose Well Radio Commercial 1
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Choose Well Radio Commercial 2
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Choose Well Radio Commercial 3
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“We appeal to people to understand what the service is there for
and use it appropriately and correctly.
If our crews are dealing with relatively 'minor'
conditions, they may not be able to get to the patients with
genuine life-threatening illness or injury as quickly as we would
want, which ultimately could put lives at risk."