WEATHER: 999 calls warning

SOUTH Yorkshire ambulance crews are aksing the public not to make 999 calls unless a patient has a life-threatening condition as the arctic freeze continues to grip the region.

A spokesperson for Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust said:

“We would like to reassure the public that we are making every effort to get to patients as quickly, and as safely, as possible despite the severe weather conditions and extremely hazardous driving conditions for our ambulance crews.

“We are urging people to take extra care when out walking or driving due to the treacherous conditions and ask that the public only call 999 for an ambulance in a medical emergency when it is obvious that someone has a life-threatening illness or injury.”

“Yorkshire Ambulance Service would also like to advise patients that they have cancelled journeys with their non-emergency Patient Transport Service for patients due to attend routine appointments at hospital clinics today due to the adverse weather conditions across the Yorkshire region.

However, the Trust’s Patient Transport Service is operating for patients with urgent medical needs such as essential renal and oncology treatments.

This is also likely to be the case tomorrow (Thursday December 2) as the adverse weather is set to continue, but we will keep patients informed of any changes to this via broadcast news bulletins.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service is asking patients not to call its Patient Transport Service registration line if their query relates to travel arrangements affected by the weather.

Met men are foecasting yet more snow for the Rotherham area over the next couple of days.

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