What Information Should You Give When Calling an Ambulance?

Most delays in reaching a patient are caused by unclear addresses, not by traffic. Keep this short list in mind.

The five essentials

• Where: full address with a landmark, and the nearest point a van can reach
• What: the patient's problem in plain words
• Who: age, and whether the patient is conscious and breathing
• Equipment: is oxygen or a ventilator in use right now
• Where to: the hospital you want, if you already know

Also useful

Which floor the patient is on and whether there is a lift, whether the patient is heavy and needs two attendants, and a second phone number in case yours becomes busy.

Do not hang up too early

Stay on the line until the dispatcher confirms the unit and repeats your address back to you. If you can, share your live location on WhatsApp straight after the call.

Save 0326 514 3944 in your phone now so you are not searching for a number during an emergency.