A man who called paramedics after “eating too much kebab” is among the “most inappropriate 999 calls”.
The Welsh Ambulance Services has released some of the worst calls it received in 2023 in a bid to show how many inappropriate calls it receives in a year. Among them are someone who lost their voice, someone who lost their dentures, and someone who had a ring stuck on their finger.
They say another person called because they had their hand trapped in a letterbox. In fact, the service says of the 414,149 calls it received last year, 68,416 were not life or death emergencies.
This works out at around 188 calls a day. It is now urging people to only dial 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured.
The service has released a transcript of the kebab call:
Operator: Tell me exactly what’s happened.
Caller: Yesterday evening, we had some kebab, and I might have had a little bit more than I’m used to, then this morning, I’ve had a very painful stomach.
Other transcripts showed a caller who said they had “had a cough for a couple of days” and someone who said they “wouldn’t say their call was an emergency” but had a piercing “ball” stuck in their ear.
Andy Swinburn, Executive Director of Paramedicine, said: “Inappropriate calls put additional strain on an already over-stretched service and may delay help for others. Our highly skilled paramedics and technicians are trained to help those whose life is in imminent danger.
“That’s people in cardiac arrest, people with chest pain or breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness, choking, severe allergic reactions, catastrophic bleeding or someone who is having a stroke. People who’ve had a cough for a couple of days have a legitimate clinical need, but it’s ill-judged to call 999 when there are so many other ways to access help.
“Our plea to the public is to apply your common sense – most people know the difference between a real emergency and something that is uncomfortable, painful or irritating but not life-threatening.
“Make the right call.”
The service is asking people to educate themselves about the alternatives to 999. Lee Brooks, Executive Director of Operations, said: “If it’s not a serious or life-threatening emergency, it’s really important that you consider the alternatives to 999.”
“That’s people in cardiac arrest, people with chest pain or breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness, choking, severe allergic reactions, catastrophic bleeding or someone who is having a stroke.
“People who’ve had a cough for a couple of days have a legitimate clinical need, but it’s ill-judged to call 999 when there are so many other ways to access help.
“Our plea to the public is to apply your common sense – most people know the difference between a real emergency and something that is uncomfortable, painful or irritating but not life-threatening.
“Make the right call.”
The service is asking people to educate themselves about the alternatives to 999.
Lee Brooks, Executive Director of Operations, said: “If it’s not a serious or life-threatening emergency, it’s really important that you consider the alternatives to 999.
“The NHS 111 Wales website should be your first port of call for advice and information, or you could call 111 if it’s urgent, and our call handlers will help signpost you to the right treatment, in the right place, at the right time.
“You could also visit your local pharmacist, where experts in medicines can offer free clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of common ailments, such as coughs, colds, rashes, aches and pains.
“And at Minor Injuries Units, experienced emergency practitioners can deal with things like minor burns, bites and stings, as well as minor eye injuries.
“Ensure you have a well-stocked medicine cabinet for things which can be treated at home, like cut fingers, headaches and sore throats.
“And if you have prescription medication, please keep on top of it and collect it on time.
“If you or your loved one is ill or injured, ask yourself whether you really need the attention of the emergency services or if you can use an alternative or make your own way to hospital.
“We’re here to help people in their hour of need, but we also need the public to take some ownership and accountability for their health and wellbeing at a time when NHS services are stretched beyond measure.
“Every single one of us has a responsibility to use NHS services wisely and protect them for those who need them most.”
Chief Executive Jason Killens added: “We know it’s confusing to access NHS services – you don’t know what’s open when and which healthcare professional is best placed to help.
“Longer-term, our ambition is to play a strengthened role in the broader NHS system to help patients navigate the right pathway to the most appropriate service, and that includes non-urgent health queries too.
“But until then, we need the public to continue to use us sensibly to protect our precious resources for those who need us most.”
