§ David HamiltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the Government are doing to deter callers from dialling for an ambulance when there is no emergency; and how many hoax calls were made in the Midlothian constituency from 1995 to date. [27179]
§ Ms BlearsI apologise to my hon. Friend for the delay in responding to this question. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002,Official Report, column 192W.
530WNHS ambulance trusts in England continue to undertake work to inform their local population about appropriate use of emergency ambulance services.
Ambulance services do not have to send an ambulance vehicle in response to 999 calls which do not require emergency care. Such calls will continue to receive a consistent and appropriate response based on national clinical standards. A fully crewed frontline ambulance will always be sent to life-threatening emergencies.
Responsibilities for Scotland are a matter for the Scottish Executive.