ANGRY ambulance bosses in East Anglia have told people to think twice before dialling 999 after they were overwhelmed by more than 7,000 calls over the weekend.
ANGRY ambulance bosses in East Anglia have told people to think twice before dialling 999 after they were overwhelmed by more than 7,000 calls over the weekend.
The calls, which came in at a rate of nearly 100-per-hour between Friday and Sunday, included many which were not about serious or life-threatening incidents.
The East of England Ambulance Service has warned that an ambulance going out to a sprained ankle could have a knock-on effect on more serious cases such as heart-attack victims.
Bosses have been left frustrated by the busy weekend as they had only just issued an appeal calling for 999 to be used responsibly.
Dr John Scott, the service's medical director, said: “We received 7,176 calls across the region during the three-day period from Friday to Sunday.
“This is despite recent appeals for people to consider first seeking guidance from NHS Direct or their own GP unless they have a serious injury or illness.”
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