When to call 999

Most people will either see or be involved in an accident at some point in their lives or may face a medical or mental health emergency.

Knowing what to do next and who to contact can save lives. website.

Life-threatening emergencies

In the event of a medical or mental health emergency, dial 999. When someone is gravely ill or injured, their life is in jeopardy.

The following are examples of emergency situations:

Loss of consciousness
A sudden confused state
Fits that are not stopping
Chest pain
Breathing difficulties
Severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
Severe burns or scalds
Someone has overdosed or severely hurt themselves. Call 999 as soon as you suspect a heart attack or stroke is happening to you or someone else. Every second matters under these circumstances.

If you or someone else is having a heart attack or stroke, immediately dial 999. In these circumstances, every second counts.

If you believe someone has suffered a catastrophic trauma, such as a serious car accident, stabbing, shooting, a fall from a height, or a serious brain injury, dial 999.

Learn more about urgent and emergency care resources, as well as how to receive immediate mental health assistance.

If you’re not sure what to do

If you need immediate medical assistance or are unsure what to do, dial NHS 111.

They will inquire about the patient’s symptoms in order to provide you with the assistance you require.

If you need to go to A&E, NHS 111 will schedule an appointment for you. It’s possible that you’ll spend less time in A&E as a result of this. This also aids in social isolation.

You can call the NHS 111 team, and they’ll provide assistance or you can reach them online at NHS 111. It is available 24-hrs a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Online assistance is available through NHS 111.

What happens when you call 999?

Call 999 and don’t panic if it’s a true emergency involving someone who is extremely ill or injured and their life is in danger.

You can use SMS emergency services if you’re deaf, hard of hearing, or have a communication issue.

For additional information or to register your phone, go to the emergencySMS website.

1. Answer questions

Once you’ve been connected to a call handler, you’ll be asked a number of questions to figure out what’s wrong, including:

Where are you located (with your area or postcode)?
From what phone number are you calling?
What happened?

As a result, the operator will be able to select the best response as rapidly as feasible.

Calling 999 does not always result in an ambulance being dispatched. What is appropriate will be determined by the call handler.

It may be safe for you to be examined elsewhere, or you can speak with a medically certified clinical adviser over the phone.

An ambulance will be sent if the situation is life-threatening.

The following are examples of response units that could be dispatched:

An emergency ambulance
A rapid-response vehicle or motorbike
A cycle response unit
A community first responder
A combination of the above

2. Do not hang up yet

Wait for the ambulance control room to respond. They might ask you a few more questions, such as:

What are the patient’s age, gender, and medical history?
Is the person cognizant and breathing, or is he or she asleep?
Is there any major bleeding or pain in your chest?
What is the nature of the injury and how did it occur?

When the person answering your call has all of the information they require, they will inform you.

You may be given advice on how to administer first aid until an ambulance arrives.

3. How you can assist the ambulance crew

You may help the ambulance service by doing a variety of things.

Stay calm, for example, and:

Stay with the patient until assistance arrives if you’re in the street
If you’re in a dark house, turn on the lights and open the curtains
If you’re in a car, turn on the hazard lights
If the patient’s situation changes, make another call to the ambulance service.
If your location changes, make a second call to the ambulance service.
Ask someone to open the door if you’re phoning from home or business, and then direct the paramedics to the area where they’re required.
Lock away family pets
If you can, note the patient’s GP’s information and gather any medications they are taking.
Whether you can, let the paramedics know if the patient has any allergies.

If necessary, contact the patient’s primary care physician. The GP may visit you in the A&E department or call you with crucial patient information. If necessary, contact the patient’s primary care physician. The GP may visit you in the A&E department or call you with crucial patient information.