How to help the ambulance crew before they arrive

There are a number of things that you can do to help the ambulance crew before they arrive:

• If you are in the street, stay with the patient until the ambulance crew arrives and call back if their condition or location changes
• If you are calling from home or work, get someone to open the doors and signal where the ambulance crew is needed
• Lock away any family pets
• If you can, write down the patient’s GP details and collect any medications that they are taking
• Remember to stay calm - ambulance crews are there to help and violence towards them will not be tolerated

You will also be told how to help the patient whilst we are on the way.

When help arrives, the patient’s clinical condition will be assessed and treatment may be given as necessary at the scene.

If, after treatment, the patient’s condition is still critical, then they will be taken to either the nearest hospital accident and emergency department or to the most appropriate specialist centre such as a heart attack centre or burns unit.

Having handed over the patient at this destination, the crew need to make sure that the paperwork is complete and that their equipment and vehicle is ready for another call.

There are also a number of things that you can do today to help ambulance crews in your area:

• Check that your house number or name is clearly visible from the roadside
• If you live on an estate check that there is a map at the entrance to help ambulance crews find their way and check that the lift is working
• Be prepared - read through the information again, so that you know what options you have available before dialling 999 and you know what information is needed if you ever do need an ambulance.