The number was eventually answered and whilst trying to describe the scene and give directions, the first question they asked was, “Is she on medical aid?”
It was a shocker. The last thing I had thought of was to ask this concussed person what medical aid they were on. I was put on hold until my airtime ran out and we ended up finding a different ambulance service. What kind of “emergency” services do we have, if they can’t help us in emergencies?
Can we please have a list of accurate/functioning phone numbers for ambulances, the police, fire and rescue services? It’s frankly scary that not enough of us carry the numbers, and/or assume the numbers we have actually function.
Secondly, can we have clarification on who does pay for ambulances? I thought that emergency services were obliged to respond and convey people to a public hospital if they do not have the resources for a private one – and that calling an ambulance is the least thing that any concerned citizen can and should do – as soon as possible – in a medical emergency, whether or not they are directly involved.
Please folks, don’t turn your backs when people are hurt. Next time it could be you. – Michael Garden, by e-mail
Post published in: Letters to the Editor