When to call for an ambulance

• When a person has or is reasonably believed to have suffered an acute injury or illness requiring medical attention and/or medical transportation by ambulance
• A doctor/ registered nurse/ paramedic has requested the urgent transport of a patient by ambulance
• Acute life threatening scenario

• Only indication for use is availability of transport.
• Patient's life or usual activities would not be immediately threatened by referral to an alternative care facility for treatment at a later time.
• Non urgent health need outside of usual office hours
• Alternative transport/ home remedy available

• Persistent shortness of breath / Wheezing / Ongoing chest pain that worsens on breathing. Wheezing and difficulty of breathing associated with asthma (with no response to usual medications)

• Coughs, colds, Flu, Bronchitis, Earache, Sore throat - with or without fever, general weakness

• Acute or persistent, severe chest pain, especially if it radiates to your arm or jaw and is accompanied by sweating, vomiting or shortness of breath.

• Ongoing, dull, nagging chest discomfort

• Sudden, severe onset abdominal pain (The kind that makes it impossible to walk & wakes you up in agony)

• Abdominal pain caused by menstruation, constipation and / or other minor abdominal complaints

• Difficulty speaking
• Confusion / Altered mental state
• Weakness / Paralysis
• Sudden loss of balance, especially with a history of high blood pressure / in the elderly
• Sudden loss of vision
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness
• Stroke

• Fainting, Dizziness, Headaches in an otherwise healthy person

Fever:

• > 40°C
• Does NOT respond to Paracetamol
• Associated with all-over body rash
• Children under 2 months with fever > 38.5°C

Fever:

• <38.5°C
• Responds to use of Paracetamol
• No rash

• Ongoing, persistent diarrhoea & vomiting with dehydration (usually > 8 episodes/ day)

• Diarrhoea and / or vomiting, patient able to walk around

Trauma:

• Deep cuts that require stitches – especially on the face
• Bleeding that won’t stop
• Large open wounds
• Broken bones / Dislocated joints
• Head injuries with loss of consciousness
• Eye injuries

Trauma:

• Common sprains & strains
• Superficial cuts
• Bleeding stopped with pressure

• Severe testicular discomfort

• Painful Urination, Blood in the urine

Burns:

• Large surface area
• Burns to the face or a large part of the hand
• Where the burn encircles the limb
• Electrical burns

Burns:

• Minor burns and scalding
• Small surface area

• Poisoning – accidental or intentional

• Back pain after trauma (such as falling), or after back surgery < 3 months previously

• Back pain after heavy lifting, generalised back spasm

Pregnancy complicated:

• Before 37 weeks are completed, emergency determined
• Rupture of membranes (waters broken)
• Excessive bleeding during pregnancy
• Contractions ≤ 5 minutes apart
• Complication in current or previous pregnancies
• Pregnancy Induced Hypertension diagnosed
• Crowning of the head

• Normal pregnancy/ labour reached > 37 weeks

• Suicidal thoughts expressed
• Sudden aggression / psychosis
• Previous history of psychiatric admission, possible relapse requiring emergency admission

• Depression/ emotional trauma

• Major allergic reaction: Breathing difficulties, swelling of lips / tongue or throat, dizziness or fainting, rash and itching over entire body

• Minor allergic reactions: watery eyes, runny nose, minor rash and itching