Can't see what the fuss is about if the system means that NHS resources are better utilised. There will always be occasions when things go wrong, but short of every street having a 24 hour standby medical team, this seems a sensible approach.

The system clearly needs improvement

Category B for the London Coach crash in which 2 died and infants and adults had limbs ripped off

What do the ambulance crews say? Clearly they will be browned off if they are sent on a priority A when the patinet could have walked in or taken the bus - it does happen putting real cases at greater risk

Might have been a good idea if NHS 24 was any good. However, as it is shite, it is a bad idea.
Logic works every time.

I wonder if it will improve,yet another idea to save money and forget personal care.

Paul Voltaire - well observed.

An ill patient's and/or the highly stressed caller to 999 or NHS 124 (sic!) despite the automaton Q&As may be totally unable to assess objectively or even recognise in the first place signs and symptoms adequately to initiate the appropriate response. So many pathological signs are remarkable in their subtlety and often masked by physiological compensation in early stages. The fact that an enormous number of patients are, rightly, given a number of Provisional Diagnoses until a specific barrage of highly sensitive examinations etc. are completed - before a Definative Diagnosis MAY be given points to the suspect use of average and standardised use of medical questioning by non-medically qualified personnel. At least the superb ambulance crews are there for emergency care and immediate transport to the appropriate hospital.
These post-admission/after the event/hindsight reviews about 15% being "helped"? by the NHS '124'
- what percentage of 15% was actually valid and how many of the other 75%, that were picked up by 999 ambulance, could have been "helped" by NHS 124? What percentage of all NHS '124' and 999 ambulance calls could be dealt with far more effectively, cheaply and competently by an on-call GP - as of old? The GPs know their own patients (and others at least through dint of being medically qualified and experienced) and can usually get to the crux of the matter quickly with a few intelligent and pertinent questions
What, pray, is the "new technology" that will allow patient's data to be transferred between 999 and NHS '124'?
I don't know why we are not all issued with a Ladybird First Aid book, a box of plasters and an aspirin and just left to get on with it.

They already do this, as I have stated earlier, I was transferred to NHS 24 when I called for an ambulance re a guy who was in horrendous pain. No ambulance was coming end of story, despite my earnest descriptions of his unable to speak, bent over double, sweat lashing off of him and the colour of wet clay...NHS 24....No Hope Service more like!

Its clear this move isn't going to be without its flaws, as are any changes to structures as delicate as the 999 System.

But, unless somethings done, more lives will be lost because of the selfish minority that don't undertand the concept of "Emergency Services!"

If the person is Hypoglycaemic, or not breathing, bleeding profusely, to the detriment of their lives,
having chest pains, or a stroke, these kinds of Emergencys are justifiable for calling an ambulance.

But, the problem is far too many people abuse the system, because it lets them!
And Ambulances / Paramedics time is wasted with people who are not dying at all, but are victims of their own selfish behaviour, that has led them to being drunk, injured or unable to walk.
Cut fingers, or toes stuck in the bathtaps are other examples of abuse of the system.

So, if this sees a stricter decisions made to allocate ambulances. . . its about time!

Hypochondriacs and time wasters beware!!

How about a burst ulcer....that fits in with none of the above necessitating a lie that he had chest pain radiating down his left arm to get an effin ambulance?

A recent trial in Glasgow involving paramedics in a rapid response vehicle answering calls passed by NHS 24 TO the ambulance service, where NHS24 FELT IT APPROPRIATE THAT IT WAS A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION and would have diverted an ambulance from a real emergency .........

Found ...............

50% were left ay home and didn't even need to be seen at the hospital emergncy department.

What do we pay GP's for....... Oh I forgot they don't venture ouside their surgerys after dark anymore!!

So much for patient care ........ Let's say the paramedics only wanted to do dayshifts only, who's left ........... nobody......... Thank God we have the dedicated paramedics who keep going no matter what idiots pass them their calls.......

Soon it will be a Deli call centre and you'll have to follow the following recorded message

Press 1 for chest pain
Press 2 for bleeding
Press 3 for car crash
Press 4 for just pissed

If only Jill Ferguson was a MP the service would be a far better place

The abuse of the Ambulance Service is clear!
Those who do not see it, or want to see it are idiots!

NHS 24 is far from ideal, for those who do not have the patience, intelligence or ability to go through the process of explaining symptoms to a call handler, then being passed onto a nurse!

As for the medical director for NHS 24 also being a part time medical director for the ambulance service,no surprise there!
Sounds like he wants to "have his cake and eat it!"

I can also vouch from personal experience of being on the receiving end of paramedics care on more than a few occassions, due to having Grand Mal Epilepsy/Seizures.

But, even epilepsy, and associated fits, doesn't always justify calling an ambulance.

As someone who volunteered for St Andrews as a First Aider also, ( to repay the ambulance service!) I would say that people rush to call Ambulances far too quickly, as a N.I.M.B.Y. way of saying, I don't want to deal with this person, let the paramedics/hospital handle it.

I have had to tell friends, only to call an ambulance, if I fail to regain consciousness after a few minutes,if I injure myself, am bleeding badly, or am in a place of immediate danger when a fit happens.

Otherwise, if indoors, and in relative safety, First Aid, and words of comfort/re-assurance is all that is needed.

If First Aid training was far more readily available, and practiced from a young age, right through to the elderly we might see more common sense being used in so called "Emergencys" and the prevention of any need to call out an Ambulance!

Interestingly enough, I'd never been in the back of an ambulance conscious until over 20 years after being in them!
Being able to see what one looked like conscious/awake for the first time, NOT as the casualty was quite scary!

And when in A & E I'm sure I'm not alone in that I always appreciate the Paramedics return to see me, o

Oh Medic Man sarcasm gets you everywhere! What are you after anyway ?

I'd far rather be a Paramedic actually!

But,unfortunately the law disallows people with epilepsy from joining certain proffessions.

Shame really, as direct experience of certain medical conditions would be an ideal pre-requisite? of the job.

As - you will know yourself, a persons hearing is the first thing to leave them following any incident, head injury, fit, or hypogycaemic attack, but is also the first thing to return.

Meaning that just because they don't answer you, doesn't mean they can't hear you! As I've often noticed I can hear everything said to me, but cannot reply.
Due to the speech centre in the brain taking longer to recover than the ability to hear, and process the spoken word.

Amazing thing the human brain!!!

Interestingly enough I intend on re-qualifying on First Aid in the coming weeks.

So, maybe just maybe I'll re-join St Andrews, or The Red Cross?

Any further stories or inside goss on the real life as a Paramedic is alway welcome!

Sorry - I meant a persons hearing is the last thing to leave them, and the first thing to return! Must be getting tired ?