Paramedic slams NHS for forcing ambulances to answer ‘wind-up’ calls to ‘make figures look good’
One medic told of being called out for 'ridiculous' calls such as toe nails needing cutting and people passing gas
A PARAMEDIC has blasted the NHS for forcing ambulance staff to answer “ridiculous” calls about hiccups, wind and lost TV remotes - to boost figures.
The man, who did not want to be identified, said West Midlands Ambulance Service crews were being sent out to deal with issues such as toenails needing cutting, tummy pain and people who keep “passing gas”.
Union Unison also said that paramedics were even being called to clean up after members of the public have fouled themselves.
The paramedic, who recently quit his role, added: “When not on call, ambulances used to be put on standby to attend proper emergencies.
“Now they're sent out to 'easy' calls to make the service's figures look good.
“Of course, while they're dealing with that patient, they're then tied up when a serious call comes in.
“Never before have so many staff left so quickly.
“Yes, the service is doing a superb job of bringing in hundreds of new paramedics but is that the answer?
"Replace experienced staff en masse with brand new, inexperienced students?"
The claims come after reports that 'demoralised' paramedics in North Staffordshire are being put under intolerable pressure, driving unfit vehicles, and leaving the service 'in droves'.
The man said crews are being ordered to race through streets on blue lights to calls which are low priority, being given unreasonable turnaround times and asked to deal with suicidal patients with complex mental health issues.
He maintains mental health problems take up 40 to 50 per cent of calls, with paramedics and police left to deal with issues that need the attention of experts.
And he claims that ambulance crews are adding to the pressure on A&E units because the option of leaving patients with minor problems at home creates time-consuming paperwork so they take them to hospital instead.
A Unison spokesman said: “It's all true. We have had crews called out to people who require the TV remote or to people who have fouled themselves.
“WMAS don't care what the call is, so long as they get their fee."
But a WMAS spokesman refuted the claims saying: “The number of times we physically attend, as opposed to offering telephone advice, has no bearing on the payment the trust receives from commissioners.
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“We would fully support the comments that far too many people are dialling 999 with minor ailments that could and should be dealt with by other parts of the NHS.
“However, it would be morally indefensible to gamble on the condition of a patient where we are not 100 percent certain that not responding is the appropriate thing to do.
“As a trust, we regularly ask people to think before ringing 999."
