Not a 999 Emergency

We called out the Emergency Responders yesterday for an incident which was definitely not a '999' emergency.

The cause was a one-inch long cut on the right forearm that had peeled apart so that cleaning out the wound with disinfectant and the application of a dressing wasn't adequate - it needed either sterestrips, glue or stitches.  In the 'old days', we would have called 202 and gone along to see one of the District Nurses, but the choices available were between driving to Acharacle or Fort William, doing a bit of DIY with our limited medical kit, or taking the advice that the Emergency Responders have recently been giving - basically that, if in doubt, call 999.

We felt bad about calling 999, but we shouldn't have done.  If the operator decides the problem doesn't justify the despatch by Scottish Ambulance Service of an Emergency Responder or ambulance, they refer the call to a trained paramedic or equivalent who gives advice over the phone.  As it was, the operator never hesitated about calling out the Emergency Responders and was so keen to send us the Strontian ambulance that she took some considerable dissuading.

Emergency Responder Sam was on the scene in minutes, followed quickly by Karen who drove from Glenborrodale.  The wound was closed with sterestrips, a dressing applied, blood pressure and other vital signs checked and, perhaps most important to us, we were made to feel that calling out the ERs was entirely the right decision.

In the short time since they were appointed, our Emergency Responders have established an excellent record in the area for their attention to serious 999 emergencies.  It's good to feel that they are also prepared now to deal with incidents which are not, strictly, emergencies, but where the patient is best dealt with quickly and professionally, and then referred on to doctor or hospital if necessary.