08:18 Thursday 05 January 2012
Written by Laura Enfield
VIDEO: Ambulance service launch campaign to stop hoax calls
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A campaign to stop bogus and inappropriate calls to the region's ambulance service is launched today.
Frustrated bosses and crews at South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) want to stamp out abuse of the 999 system which saw them receive 1,235 hoax calls last year.
They were also faced with a deluge of absurd requests including changing of light bulbs, providing lifts home, fixing TV remote controls and attending to pets.
The service is highlighting the scale of the problem to make time wasters think twice - and warned lives are being put at risk by people without a genuine emergency calling 999.
People with non life-threatening health issues are advised to contact their GP, NHS Direct, walk in centres or other out of hours health services.
