You are in:

Patient Information » Immediate Actions » Ambulance Requirement

SHOULD I CALL FOR AN AMBULANCE?

RING 999 FOR AN AMBULANCE IF YOU ANSWER YES TO ANY OF THE QUESTIONS BELOW.

SEVERE CHEST PAIN

• IS THE PATIENT UNCONSCIOUS?
• HAS THE PATIENT GOT A HISTORY OF HEART PROBLEMS?
• IS THE PAIN A CRUSHING PAIN LIKE A BAND AROUND THE CHEST?
• IS THE PAIN MOVING INTO THE JAW OR ARMS?
• DOES THE PATIENT FEEL SICK?
• IS THE PATIENT SWEATING OR CLAMMY?
• IS THE PATIENT HAVING BREATHING DIFFICULTIES?

UNCONSCIOUS

• IS THE PATIENT UNCONSCIOUS?

SEMI-CONSCIOUS (or a 'floppy' baby or child)

• IS THE PATIENT SEMI-CONSCIOUS OR FLOPPY WITH ANY OTHER OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS
  • DIFFICULT TO WAKE?
  • STIFF NECK?
  • SEVERE HEADACHE?
  • CHILD WITH A HIGH PITCHED WHIMPERING CRY?
  • PURPLE OR BLOOD COLOURED RASH?
  • PHOTO-PHOBIC?
• IS THE PATIENT A DIABETIC?
• IS THE PATIENT HAVING BREATHING DIFFICULTIES?
• IS THE PATIENT HAVING CHEST PAINS?
• HAS THE PATIENT GOT A HISTORY OF HEART PROBLEMS?

OVERDOSE AND SEMI-CONSCIOUS

• IS THE PATIENT UNCONSCIOUS OR VERY DROWSY?
• IS THE PATIENT HAVING BREATHING DIFFICULTIES?

OVERDOSE AND FULLY CONSCIOUS

• IS THE PATIENT HAVING BREATHING DIFFICULTIES?
• IS THE PATIENT A DANGER TO THEMSELF?
• IS THE PATIENT A DANGER TO OTHERS?

SEVERE BREATHLESSNESS OR COLLAPSE

• IS THE PATIENT UNCONSCIOUS?
• IS THE PATIENT BLUE AROUND THE LIPS?
• HAS THE PATIENT INHALED ANYTHING OR CHOKED ON ANYTHING?
• HAS THE PATIENT GOT CHEST PAINS?
• IS THE PATIENT UNABLE TO SPEAK IN SENTENCES?
• HAS THE PATIENT EVER HAD A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION?

SEVERE BLEEDING AND COLLAPSE

• IS THE PATIENT UNCONSCIOUS?
• IS THE PATIENT SEMI-CONSCIOUS?
• IS THE PATIENT HAVING BREATHING DIFFICULTIES?
• HAS THE PATIENT RECEIVED A CRUSHING OR PENETRATING INJURY TO HEAD, NECK, CHEST, ABDO OR THIGH?
• IS THE BLEEDING UNCONTROLLABLE?

SERIOUS HEAD INJURY / R.T.A.

• IS THE PATIENT UNCONSCIOUS?
• IS THE PATIENT HAVING BREATHING DIFFICULTIES?
• IS THE PATIENT FITTING?
• HAS THE PATIENT RECEIVED A CRUSHING OR PENETRATING INJURY TO HEAD, NECK, CHEST, ABDO OR THIGH?

EPILEPSY / FITTING

• IS THE PATIENT STILL FITTING? IS THIS THE PATIENT'S FIRST FIT?
• HAS THE PATIENT RECEIVED A SERIOUS INJURY TO THE HEAD?