NSW Ambulance has officially launched a new campaign urging the public to assess whether their Urgency is an Emergency before calling 000.
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The social media campaign ‘Is Your Urgency an Emergency?’ aimed to encourage the community to #MakeTheRightCall to get the right care.
Commissioner Ray Creen, chief executive of NSW Ambulance, said the online campaign wasn’t designed to discourage people from calling 000. Instead, it aimed to educate users about the role of NSW Ambulance paramedics and the treatment pathways patients with coughs, colds or sprained limbs may be referred to.
“NSW Ambulance triple zero call takers answer a call for help on average every 26 seconds. Just 10 per cent of these calls are for patients with life-threatening conditions,” Commissioner Creen said.
“NSW Ambulance paramedics attending non-medical emergencies could mean a patient with a life threatening emergency may have to wait, potentially putting their life at risk.”
The winter months were traditionally one of the busiest times for paramedics and statistics showed around 40 per cent of people rang 000 when their condition was not urgent for an illness or injury which could be more appropriately managed by other health providers.
In order to better use its resources and the clinical skills of paramedics, NSW Ambulance embraced a range of treatment pathways which ensured patients got the most appropriate out-of-hospital care for their condition.
“Just as every patient who presents to an emergency department is not admitted to hospital, not every patient who calls triple zero needs a stretcher ambulance or paramedic.
“During these busy winter months, when demand is high, we need to make sure NSW Ambulance resources are used appropriately and effectively and not tied up with non-emergency situations,” Commissioner Creen said.
Local ambulance officers described a range of minor issues they had been called to, from stubbed toes to sore throats and hangovers, and even one case where they were called out for a constipated dog.
“It’s important to remember that triple zero is for emergencies and although we will answer every call and provide medical assistance, phoning for an ambulance is not always the right call to make to get the right care,” Commissioner Creen said.
“NSW Ambulance triple zero control centre staff and paramedics are health experts so the community needs to trust their ability to make the right decision.”
“I would call on all members of the public to really think before making that call. You can help save lives by assessing if your urgency is an emergency and ensuring you make the right call.”
For non-emergency situations, people can always seek advice from:
- Healthdirect on 1800 022 222
- Pharmacy/Chemist
- Local general practitioners (GPs)