Ambulances called out to rising number of hoax calls

INVESTIGATION: Fifers and Dundonians behind many calls The Scottish Ambulance Service in Tayside and Fife has been forced to deal with anincreasing number of hoax calls, according to new figures.

ACourier investigation uncovered the rise in prank calls, costing the service almost 30 hours last year.

A total of just under 150 hours have been wasted in the past five years by hoax callers across the region.

Fifers made the highest number of calls in that period, 304, followed by Dundonians on 215.

Ambulances in Angus were called to 82 hoax incidents, while in Perth and Kinross it was 49.

A total of 146 hoax calls were made across Tayside and Fife last year – the highest annual figure in five years.

Health Secretary Shona Robison, who also represents Dundee City East, said: “The Scottish Government condemns hoax calls to our emergency services. These are not victimless pranks and they can potentially distract vital resources and attention away from those who are in life-threatening situations.

“The Scottish Ambulance Service have been clear that when appropriate, malicious or nuisance callers are reported to the police who will investigate and act accordingly.

“This is the right and proportionate procedure as the ambulance service also point out that in many cases the call is the result of a social issue, rather than malice and the patient may still need help.

“In these cases the relevant agencies are advised so that appropriate care can be provided.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said they could not be sure of what was behind the increase in calls.

They added: “Ambulance crews respond to just under 737,000 accident and emergency incidents per year across Scotland. Anyone who calls 999 without a genuine need is potentially putting lives at risk by tying up valuable resources that could be needed to respond to a life-threatening call.

“When appropriate, malicious or nuisance callers are reported to the police, however in many cases the call is the result of a mental health issue, rather than malice and the patient may still need help. In these cases the relevant agencies are advised so that appropriate care can be provided.”

The number of hoax calls made to the hard-pressed Scottish Ambulance Service is continuing to rise in a manner which is, frankly, baffling. Whether the calls are pranks or merely thoughtless use of the emergency line, there is no need for ambulances to be deployed in such a manner.

Drivers’ and paramedics’ time is being wasted and there is also the cost of wasted fuel and the gradual wear and tear of the vehicles themselves.

By far the most serious consequence however is the fact that each unnecessary trip is putting another potential patient’s life at risk.

Health Minister Shona Robison is absolutely correct when she points out these are not “victimless crimes”— indeed, there could be fatalities as a result.

Unfortunately the rise in incidences is mirrored by a similar increase experienced by the fire service.

There have been calls for prosecutions in instances of prank or unnecessary alarm-raising but that is not always appropriate. This may be a case where education is the best tool. Those involved in such stupidity need to be taught it could be them one day in genuine need of an ambulance or fire crew which has been summoned to another part of the region without reason.

Graphically illustrating such an example could be chilling enough to make them think twice.