Not all 999 callers will be sent an ambulance

From October East Mids Ambulance Service will monitor calls to determine how to respond to them.

If the condition is determined as minor, then callers may be helped over the phone or offered help in the home.

The ambulance service said the new system will help it focus resources on dealing with urgent and life-threatening cases.

It estimates that about 50,000 calls a year are non-emergencies.

Currently an ambulances are automatically despatched to them while control room staff establish more about the case.

In some instances the ambulance is later cancelled.

Paul Phillips, chief executive of the ambulance service, welcomed the move, which is being adopted across all ambulance trusts.

He said that while he understood why some people panic and dial 999, it places strain on front-line staff and can prevent them responding as quickly to life-threatening situations.