Picture the scene: A male decides that he wants to go to hospital to visit a mate. However, he doesn’t want to use public transport, and has no family or friends to take him, or he just doesn’t have any family or friends (apart from the one in hospital).
The male then ponders what could be the “best” way of getting to hospital, whilst also spending the least amount of money.
And then, as if struck by a lightning bolt, the male comes up with the conclusion, that the best way to get to hospital for free, is to dial 999, ask for an ambulance claiming that he thinks he is having a stroke.
Medic Oppos working for North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) were sent to the scene, in order to render potentially life-saving assistance. Being the sort of call that a suspected stroke is, other people who may have also been waiting for an emergency ambulance at the time, would have had to wait even longer if no other ambulances were available.
When the medics turned up to the address, the male walked out to greet them with a big smile on his face, and admitted that he was fine and that he ‘just’ wanted a free lift to visit a friend on one of the wards…
Let us just take a moment, in order to allow that to sink in………………………………………………..
Oppos (aka colleagues) form NWAS took to twitter in order to share their frustration in what has to be one of the worst abuses of the 999 system that any of us have heard of (in recent times anyway).
NWAS EMT Shaun Garrard said:
‘A patient rang for an ambulance last night as he had reduced sensation in his legs and mobility was poor.
‘We took him to hospital for him to then get up and walk off on arrival. He admitted he faked the whole lot just to get a lift to hospital to see his friend!’
COMMENT
There is absolutely no reason whatsoever, as to why the individual who wasted NWAS’ time, should not be slapped with a bill of at least £250 for his foolish and selfish actions.
The fact that the male thought that it was ‘funny’ clearly shows utter contempt for the hardworking #ThinGreenLine oppos who dedicate themselves to helping save the lives of others.
Or rather, saving the lives of others, when they are not having to deal with self-centred time-wasters who think that the 999 system OWES them something.
We have said before, that we believe strongly that anyone who assaults or abuses emergency services personnel, or who abuses the 999 system, should have their access to the 999 system revoked.
Needless to say, that the male behind this act of utter stupidity, will be recognised for his mindless actions in our ‘Darwin Awards’ section of our eMagazine, S__ts & Giggles. You can subscribe to this £1-per month fortnightly morale injection, emailed straight to your inbox, by clicking here
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Grrrrrr makes me do angry, we really need to start enforcing fines and prosecute.
Picked patient Stretcher Case @ her daughter. From Houghton le spring to Newcastle Gen. Wehad to wait for two hours to take her home. Two @ half hours later they came walking into waiting room laden down with shopping. They had walked. Yes walked down into town about half a mile did there shopping and walked back . My co worker told me to get into Ambulance and we drove of .leavingthem in the waiting room. The two women phoned a complaint in. And my co worker and I got a write old bollican @ threatened with the sack. So we phoned the press up @ they went to town in the papers.