A paramedic has spoken up about the misuse of the ambulance service after an elderly woman was left on the floor for 4 hours with a severely fractured leg.
The paramedic wanted to remind the public that 999 is for life threatening emergencies.
Posting on Facebook page Spotted Torquay, a paramedic posted anonymously:
“It’s got to be said and please realise this isn’t aimed at every single person in South Devon (as I know some people may think it is) but…
“Unfortunately, the ambulance service took a hammering of inappropriate calls in South Devon last night.
“My last job of the night shift was to an 88 yr old patient who had been on the floor for 4 HOURS with a severely fractured leg and potentially broken hip. An ambulance was called at 11pm and I, as a lone paramedic on a car didn’t get to this pt until 3am!
“Why do you ask?! Because people are still calling the ambulance service irresponsibly!
“Silly people who can’t handle their drink on a night out, frequent callers, people who refused transport to hospital, people who refused treatment of crews, people who have verbally assaulted my colleagues/friends.
ALL OF THESE TOOK PRIORITY over a very poorly, vulnerable PT last night and other genuinely ill patients.
“Utterly heartbreaking.
4 HOURS of being sat on the floor with a broken leg. As I walked through the door, they apologized to me for calling me out.
They certainly weren’t the ones who needed to be sorry.
“999 is for life threatening emergencies. We are not your punch bag, we are not your taxi home, we are not your baby sitters. Please call wisely, take responsibility for your own health and consider the safety of EVERYONE!”
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