Monday 14th April 2014 – 11.30am – Steve Parry.
With schools starting their Easter Half Term this week, the ambulance service is urging people to keep safe and healthy to avoid meeting a paramedic.
West Midlands Ambulance Service is appealing to parents, guardians and children to keep safe whilst they are enjoying the Easter break. Statistics show that over bank holiday weekends in particular, demand upon the ambulance service rises by between 10 and 15%.
Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer, Diane Scott, said: “The Easter holiday always proves to be a busy time for the ambulance service with the public taking the opportunity to enjoy the first holiday break of the year.
“We anticipate 999 calls to rise and therefore we would ask the public to think carefully before calling 999 to allow us to attend to patients’ suffering life threatening illness and injury.
“The ambulance service is here to deal with life threatening cases such as chest pains, stroke, serious blood loss and unconscious patients. If it’s not life threatening, consider alternatives to calling 999 such as NHS 111, visiting a walk-in centre, a local pharmacists or self-care at home.”
Notes to Editor
Other healthcare services available include:
• Self care – A range of common illnesses and injuries can be treated at home by combining a well-stocked medicine cabinet with plenty of rest.
• NHS 111 – Confidential health advice and information by phone 24 hours a day.
• Pharmacist – Your local pharmacist can give you advice on illnesses and the medicines you need to treat them. Visit a pharmacist when you are suffering from a common health problem which does not require being seen by a nurse or doctor.
• GP – GP surgeries provide a range of services by appointment, including medical advice, examinations, and prescriptions. In an emergency, a GP can also visit your home outside of opening hours by contacting your local surgery and following the recorded instructions.
• NHS walk-in centre, urgent care centre, or minor injuries unit – You do not need an appointment and you will be seen by an experienced nurse or GP. These services give healthcare and advice and most are open from early in the morning until late at night. Visit one of these centres if you need medical treatment or advice which does not need a visit to A&E or a medical appointment.
ENDS