If you answer YES to any of these questions dial 999 for an ambulance:

Severe chest pain:

• Is the patient unconscious?
• Has the patient got a history of heart problems?
• Is the pain a crushing pain like a band around the chest?
• Is the pain moving into the jaw or arms?
• Does the patient feel sick?
• Is the patient sweating or clammy?
• Is the patient having breathing difficulties?

Unconscious:

• Is the patient unconscious?

Semi-conscious (or 'floppy' baby or child):

• Is the patient semi-conscious or floppy with any other of the following symptoms
• Difficult to wake? Stiff neck? Severe headache? Child with a high-pitched whimpering cry? Purple or blood coloured rash? Photo-phobic?
• Is the patient a diabetic? Is the patient having breathing difficulties?
• Is the patient having chest pains?
• Has the patient got a history of heart problems?

Overdose and Semi-conscious:

• Is the patient unconscious or very drowsy?
• Is the patient having breathing difficulties?

Overdose and fully conscious:

• Is the patient having breathing difficulties?
• Is the patient a danger to himself?
• Is the patient a danger to others?

Severe breathlessness or collapse:

• Is the patient unconscious?
• Is the patient semi-conscious?
• Is the patient having breathing difficulties?
• Has the patient received a crushing or penetrating injury to head, neck, chest, abdo or thigh?
• Is the bleeding uncontrollable?

Serious head injury / Road accident:

• Is the patient unconscious?
• Is the patient having breathing difficulties?
• Is the patient fitting?
• Has the patient received a crushing or penetrating injury to head, neck, chest, abdo or thigh?

Epilepsy / Fitting:

• Is the patient still fitting? Is this the patient's first fit?
• Has the patient received a serious injury to the head?

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FIRST RESPONSE BLOG: Guidelines for dialling 999