People in Bradford are being urged not to call 999 for minor ailments after paramedics revealed they had taken calls from people with broken fingernails and hangovers.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) has also taken calls about ear pain, a stubbed toe, sore throat, toothache and nosebleeds.

The service is expecting a surge in non-urgent calls as the cold weather continues and people suffer cuts and bruises from slips and trips.

It is asking people to remember 999 is a lifeline rather than a first port-of-call for any medical problem.

According to the YAS NHS trust, more appropriate care can often be given by a GP, at a walk-in-centre, a pharmacy or by phoning NHS Direct, to ensure the emergency ambulance service is available for those in need.

Paramedic Richard Waterman said: “We respond to a lot of patients who have reported a serious condition only to find they merely require treatment or advice for a minor condition. These patients do require some medical attention, but should have telephoned NHS Direct for health advice, visited their local pharmacist or minor injuries unit or made their own way to the nearest emergency department. When you work for an emergency service which exists to help save lives, it’s very frustrating when you are dealing with calls of this nature as it’s always at the back of your mind that we could be helping someone genuinely in need.”

Tasnim Ali, assistant director of A&E operations in West Yorkshire, said: “While our 999 call takers and ambulance crews are caught up dealing with patients who have called with minor ailments, we might not be able to get to people who urgently need us – this can put the lives of other patients at risk.

“Our highly-trained staff will be working hard to get to those who require an emergency medical response as quickly as possible and ask that people only call 999 for an ambulance in a medical emergency when someone is in need of time-critical help. We don’t want to deter people from calling 999 but ask that they carefully consider the variety of other healthcare services available to them before picking up the phone as someone else’s need could be greater.”

INSTEAD OF 999 YOU SHOULD CALL:

In case of a non-emergency people can use one of the following options:

  • Self care. Some minor illnesses and injuries can be treated at home by combining a well-stocked medicine cabinet with plenty of rest.
  • NHS Direct. The service provides confidential health advice and information by phone, through digital TV and online, 24 hours a day. Phone (0845) 4647.
  • Pharmacist. A pharmacist can give advice on some common health problems and the medicines needed to treat them.
  • GP. Surgeries provide a range of services by appointment, including medical advice, examinations, and prescriptions. GPs can visit patients at home in an emergency.
  • NHS walk-in centre, urgent care centre, or minor injuries unit – People can visit a centre if they need medical treatment or advice which does not require a visit to A&E or a medical appointment.