Heart attack patients told to make their own way to A&E

Patients in the West Midlands, including some of those suffering heart attacks, are being asked to get themselves to hospital amid worsening pressures on ambulance services this winter.

- REBECCA THOMAS

The West Midlands Ambulance Service has advised its 999 call handlers to ask patients if they can make their own way to hospital when services are in high demand.

According to reports in The Sunday Times, a memo was sent to staff explaining the change was needed due to delays in patients getting an ambulance. The memo said category three and four patients – those who have fallen or are vomiting – will be told: “The ambulance service is under significant pressure, and we don’t have an ambulance available to respond to you. It may be a number of hours before one is available. Is there any way you can arrange to safely make your own way to a hospital emergency department?”