Stroke patients Anbulance told to get themselves to hospital

PEOPLE having a heart attack or stroke are being told to make their own way to A&E in some areas.

- Katie Harris

West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed a change to the script that its 999 call handlers use, urging patients to get themselves to hospital during periods of surging demand.

A leaked internal staff memo sent on November 29 said category three and four calls those with urgent abdominal pain, who have fallen or are vomiting will be told: "The ambulance service is under significant pressure and we don't have an ambulance available to respond to you. It may be a number of hours before one is available.

"Is there any way you can arrange to safely make your own way to a hospital emergency department?"