If an ambulance is called in another county because of personal preference, can they refuse to respond because a closer ambulance is available? I was under the impression that if an ambulance is called they must respond if available. What is the protocol?
2007-01-04 04:35:11 · 3 answers · asked by cherries 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
I have worked in several ambulance services in different countries and this protocol has never varied. The closest available unit *must* be responded.
When you request any emergency service, they are duty bound to send you the closest unit. If they did not do so, they would be breaching their 'duty of care'.
I've had callers stating that they want "a male crew only" or that they don't want a crew from "XYZ station". They get the nearest unit - after all, it's an emergency isn't it?
2007-01-04 12:47:26 · answer #1 · answered by scedex 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Depends on the situation. Need to look at it from this perspective. If an ambulance was called for you from another county, that is one less unit (ambulance) that can respond to a call in their particular county. It is a matter of who is closer and available to respond to an emergency call the quickest. Look at it this way, if another person in a neighboring county wanted the unit that is closest to your home and you have an emergency, response time would be delayed because the unit that would have been closest to you is not available.
NREMT-P
2007-01-04 04:50:35 · answer #2 · answered by EMS_5 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Our firehall is about a football length field away from our back door and when we need an ambulance we had to rely on the next town over for service...they were more knowledgeable and friendlier anyway...
2007-01-04 05:02:01 · answer #3 · answered by Patches6 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋