Ambulance staff in capital ‘at breaking point’
WORKER SAYS MANY PEOPLE ARE OFF WITH STRESS AND DEPRESSION
A LONDON Ambulance worker has admitted they are ‘scared for loved ones’ as London’s ambulances are being called for unnecessary reasons.
The emergency medical technician, based in north-west London, explained they are on “the edge of destruction” and have been given “no time to mourn” due to mounting pressures.
The plea comes as NHS chiefs say UK hospitals are “stretched to the limit” and, according to the London technician, this is due to unnecessary callouts.
The anonymous London Ambulance worker, who is currently isolating with coronavirus, said: “I’m scared for my loved ones.
“Many patients whom we attend aren’t taking correct precautions and are not isolating if told to do so, causing a spread in the virus.
“We’re at breaking point. We have staff who, if not off with Covid, are off with stress and depression.”
The NHS worker urged Londoners to not call the emergency services unless absolutely necessary. Since the number of coronavirus cases has increased they have been called out for minor injuries such as headaches, small nose bleeds and diarrhoea, which can be treated with over the counter medicine.
“I’ve lost colleagues and friends to [coronavirus], as have many of my colleagues. We have no time to mourn,” they added.
“I’m seriously reconsidering my career choice. I’ve been taking care of London for over 10 years, but now I’m drained, tired and the morale within the service is at an all-time low.”
The NHS worker also highlighted how the public are flocking to hospitals unlike in the first wave of coronavirus, when many people stayed away from A&E to protect the NHS.
But this has been reversed according to the NHS worker.
“People are abusing the NHS. It’s the equivalent of calling RNLI for stepping in a puddle,” they said.
“We’ve seen a steady incline of calls over the past few weeks. I’m currently off work with Covid, but have seen call rates going up.”
One Londoner even called 999 as they could not get a Covid test online, so faked difficulty in breathing in the hope an ambulance would bring them a test. Ambulances do not carry test kits.
The Emergency worker added: “People tend to call for an ambulance because they think they’ll get seen quicker at hospital. This is not the case. In fact, unless their condition is life threatening or life changing, it could be quicker making your own way to either a walk-in centre, hospital or pharmacy.”