'Only call 999 in life-threatening emergency' ask South West ambulance bosses

As ambulance staff in the South West go out on strike again today, there's a plea from the region's health bosses:

'Use 999 appropriately and only call if it's a life-threatening emergency'.

The South Western Ambulance Trust say they're working to make sure crews are still available for the most urgent calls during industrial action.

The military's also being brought in to help.

The walk outs are part of an ongoing row over pay.

Will Warrender, Chief Executive of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said:

“I want to take this opportunity to repeat my thanks to the communities that we serve. We have been asking you to support us by only calling 999 for life-threatening emergencies, and so far your continued support has meant we have been able to prioritise those patients most in need of our help.

“As we look ahead to Friday’s industrial action, we are again asking for your support, because we absolutely must have crews available for the most life-threatening conditions, and we will be prioritising these patients first.

“This means there will be other patients waiting for an ambulance, and we will get to them as soon as we can. We are sorry that we may be unable to respond to them as quickly as we would like.

“If you are waiting for an ambulance, please do not call back asking for an estimated time of arrival. We cannot provide this information and it blocks our lines for other callers.

“You should also be aware that less serious, non-life-threatening incidents may not receive a response for the duration of any strike."

We're being encourage to 'self-care' or use other NHS services while the industrial action is on.

The advice from the South West's health bosses includes:

• Self-care – for things like grazed knees, coughs and colds

• Pharmacy – for headaches, upset stomachs, aches and pains

• NHS 111 – visit online or call 111 for advice and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week

• GP – for symptoms that won’t go away

Minor injuries unit – attend your local minor injuries unit for urgent not life threatening conditions and injuries such as sprains, fractures and burns

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