AMBULANCE chiefs have revealed how people have called 999 to report a dead cat in a road or to find out the number for directory enquiries.

The calls are among those highlighted in a campaign called Keep the 999 Line Free For Me, by South Western Ambulance Service.

The campaign will run throughout the winter and encourages people to question whether they really need to ring 999.

Its hard-hitting posters show people in real emergency situations who do need the 999 service.

The service is currently receiving 2,500 calls every 24 hours, which it says is an unprecedented number before the Christmas peak in demand.

Adrian South, deputy clinical director for South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It can sometimes be difficult for people to know where to turn when they are worried about their health, particularly when they feel that the issue is too urgent to wait to see their own GP.

“If someone's life may be in danger with a condition such as severe chest pain, shortness of breath, unconsciousness or following a serious road traffic collision or injury with uncontrollable bleeding, they should call 999. If the condition is less urgent then the NHS111 service is a fantastic source of advice, and can direct people to a wide range of NHS services including pharmacies, GPs, minor injury units and walk-in centres.

“At the moment we are dealing with an unprecedented level of demand. It's important to consider that every time we deal with a call which is not an emergency, it may delay our response to patients who are severely ill or injured; those cases where every second counts”.

Examples of life threatening conditions requiring an ambulance include cases where someone is unconscious or not breathing, heart attacks, strokes and uncontrollable bleeding.

But the ambulance service says it often receives 999 calls from people suffering from minor injuries and even from those trying to get help for animals.

Cat in the road

Caller: There's a cat in the road. I think it's dead it is.

Operator: Are you calling about a cat in the road?

Caller: Yeah, yeah.

Operator: I'm sorry, we only deal with humans.

Caller: Oh right, sorry. I just wonder if I got the right number. Well, what number do I ring?

Operator: I don't know, really. If you think it might be alive still, you could probably the RSPCA.

Caller: OK, I'll give them a ring when I get into work.

Directory enquiries

Operator: Ambulance service, what's the address of the emergency please?

Caller: Um, well it's not an emergency really. I can't get through to the operator or directory enquiries. What's the number of directory enquiries please?

Operator: Sorry, you've rung 999.

Caller: Yes.

Operator: This is emergency services.

Caller: Oh.

Operator: Is there a medical emergency there?

(Silence)