South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS
Foundation Trust (SECAmb) is supporting NHS England in a public
information campaign on when to call 999 and NHS 111.
All of the Trust’s operational ambulances and cars will carry
messages on how the two services work together. The posters, which
have been designed and funded by NHS England, have this week
started to be placed on vehicles.
The Trust hopes the posters will help remind people that 999 is
for serious and life-threatening emergencies only and to contact
NHS 111 when they require urgent advice and assistance for
conditions that are not life-threatening.
SECAmb Head of Fleet and Logistics John Griffiths said: “We
pleased to be able to assist in ensuring these important messages
are communicated to the public via our vehicles. We hope that the
presence of the posters on highly visible ambulances and cars will
remind people to make the right choice.”
Dr Helen Thomas, National Medical Advisor for Integrated Urgent
Care said: “It’s really good to see the NHS 111 non-emergency
number sitting alongside 999 on these ambulances.
“This gives a clear message that 999 is for life-threatening
emergencies – but if you’re in need of urgent help and it’s not an
emergency there is another number to call – NHS 111.
“The service is now helping around 15 million callers a year to
get the right care in the right place, first time – reducing
pressure on A&E and 999 services.”