Misuse costs lives

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) is here for you when you need us most.

However, 40% of the 999 calls we receive are from patients who do not need to go to hospital. An ambulance attending a patient who could have used more appropriate healthcare services is not available to go to a person in a life-threatening emergency.

Just think - your life, or the life of someone you care about, could be put at risk.

On average, there is only one ambulance per 23,000 people during the day, and one per 35,000 people at night available in our region. So, make sure you need us before you call.

To help you understand when you should call us or use an alternative healthcare provider, please consider the following:

For medical emergencies, such as

• Chest pain
• Severe breathing difficulty
• Severe blood loss
• Suspected stroke
• Choking
• Blacking out
  Dial 999 immediately

For other illnesses and injuries

• Call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for advice, alternatively visit their website or the NHS Choices website
• Contact your GP or out-of-hours GP service for other illnesses. Check your symptoms at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
• Make your own way to your local A&E, minor injuries unit or walk-in centre for minor injuries
• Seek advice from your pharmacist for self-care