Are we a shower of idiots?

[sannyrut]

I was with a friend waiting in A and E at a local hospital in South Lanarkshire.The television was on to keep the waiting dozens amused.Amused they became.The NHS/South Lanarkshire were informing us all that if someone was ill and you couldn't contact your GP,to phone NHS 24.However,if you thought someone was dying,you could phone 999 and ask for an ambulance.
A display at the side of the TV screen was continually displaying-DO YOU REALLY NEED AN AMBULANCE.

[usedbustickets]

Another great example of joined up government.

[scouser2]

quote:Originally posted by usedbustickets

Another great example of joined up government.

They'll be having joined-up thoughts soon!!

[stoop]

Trust me - my sister-in-law works in the 999 call centre and you wouldn't believe some of the calls they get demanding an ambulance.

Things like 'I've cut my finger', 'My boyfriend is throwing up 'cause he's had too much to drink' and even 'my dog has been run over' are quite the norm. So, yes, it does seem that some of us are in fact a shower of idiots and do need everything spelling out.

[stoop]

Shock calls to 999 centre

Saturday 25th September 2010, 11:31AM BST.
Shock calls to 999 centre

A 32-year-old man called the ambulance control centre for Shropshire with a 999 request for an ambulance because he "couldn't walk after dancing too much", it was revealed today.

And another person called the centre after finding a dead pigeon - in the hope an ambulance crew might be able to resuscitate it. West Midlands Ambulance Service said the calls were among a series of non-emergency 999 alerts.

They have put the local ambulance service at full stretch.

An increasing number of people are dialling up for emergency crews, wasting time and putting lives at risk, the service added.

Other calls made in the last 12 months to the control centre based in Brierley Hill include:

* A lady who wanted a crew to get her washing in because her footpath was covered in snow and ice.

* A man who said he needed an ambulance because his eyes were hurting, before revealing that he had been playing on his games console for six hours.

*A man requesting an ambulance because he could not find his trousers.

* A man ringing to apologise for being a pest caller the day before, when he called the same number numerous times.

Read more: http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2010/09/25/shock-calls-to-999-centre/#ixzz1HVYjVUcS

[nichola]

quote:Originally posted by stoop


* A lady who wanted a crew to get her washing in because her footpath was covered in snow and ice.

when I read this I see a little old lady, who is probably a bit wobbly on her feet, who has got a bit worked up and panicky like elderly people do and remembered the days when you could call the fire brigade to get the little girls (mine) head out of the bars in the gate where it's stuck...

Please note I in no way condone blatant time wasters and realise this is about the ambulance not fire service  

[sannyrut]

What about the ambulance personnel who refused to attend an emergency call because they were on a break??People died.

[laffa]

The likes of the stupid! calls can be dealt with on the spot by a straight refusal, but the more I am hearing this week about things such as this is making me  political, which I have never been,

[littlereddevil]

My fatherinlaw called 999 a few weeks ago late at night cos he was lonely!! Ambulance took him to hospital??? and he is still there 3 weeks later.
What a waste of money. Absolutely nothing wrong with the man so why don't they put him home? Nhs always say they don't have enough beds but they are allowing him to block one. He says he loves it in hospital and would like to stay there. Most people don't get what they wish for. So hes we are a shower of idiots!