The emergency services are suffering this winter and are under greater strain than ever before. This means it is vitally important that we only use our emergency services when we need them so that they are available to help with life-threatening medical emergencies.

If you are dealing with an emergency that involves a particularly vulnerable person, for example, an elderly person, baby or very young child and you are seriously concerned – always call an ambulance.

Children can mask serious symptoms and then quickly deteriorate.

When to call an ambulance 

The decision will vary from case to case, but we would strongly advise you to immediately administer First Aid and call an ambulance if someone:

• Appears not to be breathing

• Is having chest pain, difficulty breathing or experiencing weakness, numbness or difficulty speaking.

• Experiencing severe bleeding that you are unable to stop with direct pressure on the wound.

• Is struggling for breath, possibly breathing in a strange way appearing to ‘suck in’ below their rib cage as they use other muscles to help them to breathe.

• Is unconscious or unaware of what is going on around them.

• Has a fit for the first time, even if they seem to recover.

• If they are having a severe allergic reaction accompanied by difficulty in breathing or collapse. Always get an ambulance to come to you.

• If a child is burnt and the burn is severe enough to need dressing – treat the burn under cool running water and call an ambulance. Keep cooling the burn until the paramedics arrive and look out for signs of shock.

• If someone has fallen from a height, been hit by something travelling at speed (like a car) or been hit with force there is a possibility of a spinal injury.

If you are looking after a baby who has a serious illness or accident it is important to get medical attention as soon as possible. The following symptoms should always be treated as serious and an ambulance called:

• High-pitched, weak or continuous cry.

• Lack of responsiveness, lethargy or floppiness.

• Bulging fontanel (the soft spot on a baby’s head).

• Not drinking for more than eight hours (taking solid food is not as important).

• A temperature of over 38°C if the baby is less than three months old. Or over 39°C if the baby is three to six months old or a raised temperature that you are unable to bring down.

• A high temperature, but cold feet and hands.

• Fits, convulsions or seizures.

• Turning blue, very pale, mottled or ashen.

• Difficulty breathing, fast breathing, grunting while breathing, or if your child is working hard to breathe. For example, sucking their stomach in under their ribs.

• Your baby or child is unusually drowsy, hard to wake up or doesn’t seem to know you.

• A spotty, purple-red rash anywhere on the body. (This could be a sign of meningitis.)

• Repeated vomiting or bile-stained (green) vomiting.

Most importantly – trust your instincts. If you are seriously worried, administer First Aid and get medical help quickly.