We are encouraging people to really think about whether they need an ambulance:
- If you are feeling unwell and you are not sure what to do, please call the NHS Direct Wales service on 0845 46 47 or 111 (if you live in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend and Carmarthenshire) and speak to a nurse adviser for information and advice, available 24 hours a day, every day.
- If you are deaf or hard of hearing call the NHS Direct Wales using BT Typetalk on 1 8001 0845 46 47.
- If you have a medical emergency such as loss of consciousness, difficulty in breathing, suspected heart attack, heavy blood loss, serious injury or severe burns call 999.
- Sending an ambulance to a call that is not an emergency could delay the response to a seriously ill or injured patient.
- Patients with minor illnesses or injuries who arrive at hospital by ambulance do not receive faster treatment.
The Welsh Ambulance Service has produced a video highlighting the importance of choosing the most appropriate NHS service if you become ill or injured.
“Stop, Think ...do you really need 999?” explains how the Ambulance Service prioritises emergency calls, and how dealing with non-urgent and hoax calls can potentially delay responses to more serious cases.
Attached is the Trust's initial response following publication of the Trusted to Care Report