 The ambulance control centre will prioritise emergency cases |
A new system to filter out the non-urgent 999 ambulance calls is being introduced in Essex to free up more time for life-threatening cases. Previously all 999 calls had to be treated as emergencies, but now the ambulance service can prioritise.
Calls about more minor ailments or illnesses will be handled by medical staff on a clinical support desk.
A spokesman said the system would help them to deliver appropriate care as quickly as possible.
Falls and cut fingers
The clinical support desk is designed to deal with some of the 2,100 calls a month to the ambulance service for more minor injuries such as falls and cut fingers.
Chief executive Anthony Marsh said the new system would mean patients could avoid unnecessary trips to accident and emergency units and leave ambulances free to deal with serious or life-threatening emergencies.
The system is already being operated by other ambulance services in the UK.
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