Scratched by a cat, sunburn and itchy eczema: Some of the unbelievable 999 calls to ambulance service – Coventry Live

Sunburn, scratched by a cat and itchy eczema are just some of the unbelievable 999 calls to ambulance service during its busiest ever week.

West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) has highlighted that demand for the 999 service has risen by more than 50 per cent compared to levels that would normally be expected at this time of year.

In fact, last week WMAS saw a 57.9 per cent rise in emergency calls, with 40,839 emergency calls made compared to 25,870 for the same week in 2019 before the pandemic.

READ MORE: Mapped: The areas in Coventry and Warwickshire with the highest Covid rates

Call handlers have reported some extraordinary 999 calls for non-emergency issues such as sunburn, someone who had been scratched by a cat and a case of someone whose eczema that was particularly itchy.

It has been stressed that while all may have needed clinical help, they were not appropriate for a 999 call and bosses have urged people to use the 111 online service.

WMAS chief executive Anthony Marsh said: We are rightly prioritising those patients that are the sickest or most severely injured; everyone who needs an ambulance will get one, but in some cases there are some patients who could access the care they need using other options other than dialling 999.

"Our ambulance crews, 999 and 111 call handlers, volunteers and the many other teams who ensure we can respond to patients as quickly as possible, are working flat out as we see increase demand for our services.

"As has been the case throughout the pandemic, the public can play their part by using 111 online for urgent advice but calling 999 in life threatening cases."

He went on: "I would also ask that patients and their loved ones also only call us back if the patients condition worsens, not to check what time their ambulance will arrive. We simply cant tell you the answer and while we are answering that call it may delay us answering a call such as a cardiac arrest where every second counts."

WMAS urges that people contact 999 if they experience:

WMAS say a number of factors are behind the rise in calls including the warmer weather, an increase in Covid transmission rates in the community, an increase in the public spending time outside as restrictions ease.

Also more demand on hospitals mean its crews cannot offload patients quickly which has a knock-on effect on the Trusts ability to get to patients quickly.

"This is a really tough time for ambulance staff and the volunteers who support us, who are working round the clock to deal with the huge increase in call numbers, and Id like to pay tribute to their continued efforts to ensure patients get the care they need," the WMAS chief said.

"With pressure on services still high, the public can help us to help them by using 111 online to get medical advice, and of course the most important thing we can all do at the moment is get the COVID-19 vaccine - both doses - which protects us, our families and friends and will help to reduce pressure on the NHS as well."

People can access 111 online here.

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Scratched by a cat, sunburn and itchy eczema: Some of the unbelievable 999 calls to ambulance service - Coventry Live