Who can call an ambulance?
The Wanganui Area Health Board has become concerned at the number of people in our area who are unaware of the role of the Board's ambulance service and its accessability for public use. "Many people believe that an ambulance can be called only by a doctor or on the authority of a doctor. This is not so in the emergency situation. Any person may call for an ambulance in an emergency by dialing 1 1 1 and asking for "Ambulance"," says Alan Wise, Director of Administration for the Wanganui Area Health Board.
"We will respond to any emergency call regardless of whether the call is to a road accident, home or industrial accident, sports accident, sudden illness or maternity emergency" he said. Persons phoning for emergency assistance should give exact details of the location of the call, including the name of the town or area. Many street names are duplicated from town to town, and many sound similar on a telephone e.g. Wright Street and White Street. The emergency call will be answered by trained nursing staff who may be able to give advice to the caller about treatment until
the ambulance arrives. "If anyone is in doubt as to whether the call warrants an ambulance, we would rather be called and find we are not required than to learn later that a delay occurred before the call was made or that a patient suffered further injury from being moved by untrained persons" said Mr Wise. The concept that it would be quicker to take a victim to hospital by private car is both outmoded and dangerous. No injured person should be moved before the arrival of the ambulance, unless their life is in immediate danger e.g. from fire or falling debris. The patient should be warned to lie still and be kept warm with blankets. Hot water bottles should not be used. Stop any bleeding with a clean pad over the wound and apply direct pressure. Unconscious victims should be carefully placed in
the recovery position. If breathing or heart beat ceases, start resuscitation immediately. (First aid and resuscitation knowledge is essential, for courses of instruction contact St John.) lrreparable damage can be done by well-intentioned people who move casualties afteran accident. Remember that this applies to children also, because they are easily carried, major injuries such as fractures can be overlooked. Don't Move Them! — Keep Them Warm — Send Someone To Call An Ambulance. Early advice of the number of persons injured and their type of injuries may save time in dispatching further ambulances of specialised equipment to the scene. If In Doubt, When Accidents or Sudden Illness Occur Phone 111 and Ask for "Ambulance".
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIBUL19870203.2.13
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Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 33, 3 February 1987, Page 4
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451Who can call an ambulance? Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 33, 3 February 1987, Page 4
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