Callers urged not to use 999 during strikes (From The Argus)

• "Can i put a little perspective on this matter please, if you call for an ambulance via 999 you will not get an endlessly ringing phone line, it will be answered and an ambulance will be sent. However can i just add that week in week out people are calling 999 for a sore throat, a broken finger, a small cut to their foot and other such waste of times. They dont have the ability to realize that they can take themselves to hospital, to call NHS direct, to put a plaster on it, to speak to their Dr, how often is an ambulance on scene at these silly jobs and they could be attending real emergencies. I pleased to say that most of the people i have spoken to are working to rule, attending emergencies as they are expected to do, however they are not doing roadside standby which means sitting at the clock tower for hours on end waiting for a job, they are not training today, they are not doing overtime, that is the level of striking that is taking place. Please dont let this national issue affect you perception of the regular ambulance crews. They are at work and they are responding......pani
  c over....
  For those that arent fully working to rule is not a knee jerk reaction and is something that has been tried to be resolved for weeks, its not an easy decision to make but one that has been made for 24 hours only. Tomorrow is another day and regular service will be resumed, today is just a variation on the normal service"
• * Your name This field is mandatory
• * Your email This field is mandatory
• Reason

  Please note we will not accept reports with HTML tags or URLs in them.

• 
  Enter the above word in the box below
  
  

Please be fair, courteous and respectful to the views of others so we can build a vibrant community in a safe online environment. You are personal liable for your comments and action will be taken against anyone who offends, ridicules or posts malicious and damaging views. If you wish to complain, please contact us.