When you call 999, the BT operator will ask you what emergency service you require.
In the case of a medical emergency ask for the ambulance service, this will put you through to one of our Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMD) based in the NIAS Emergency Operations Centre.
When you are put through to an EMD, they will first ask the caller if the patient is breathing and then if they are awake?
These questions allow us immediately prioritise the call and our response. You will also be asked to tell us exactly what happened and to confirm the address of the emergency. This information is important for getting the initial help sent out.
Following this you may be asked for more detail such as:
- The patient’s age, sex and medical history, if you know it
- Further details of the problem/injury and how it happened
- If the patient is bleeding or suffering from chest pain?
The questions should be answered clearly and quickly and are asked to enable us make sure the most appropriate help is sent to you – answering these questions will not delay us, but it will help us give you important first aid advice while our staff are on their way.
In these types of emergencies, the EMD will relay specific clinical instructions for you to follow until help arrives. These situations include:
- Airway management for the unconscious patient;
- Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) eg chest compressions, mouth to mouth;
- Clearing a fully obstructed airway on a choking patient;
- Assisting with childbirth.
In these situations or where the patient appears unstable, the EMD will stay on the line with you until help arrives providing you with constant assistance and reassurance.