Ambulances now charging??

[solitaire89]

Fire... ah, they are their own breed for sure. They respond emergency whether you are blazing or a cat's in a tree

My greatest fear is having to call them because DD has got her finger stuck in the overflow in the bath... I hate it when she goes anywhere near it!! She hasn't done it yet - touch wood!

 

[krystalemery]

No it's OK I knew you wasn't implying that and totally understand where you're coming from. But I am probably one of the people who are easily confused as to what's an emergency and what isn't!

I've phoned 999 before and told them about a problem I had with my son not long ago, and said I was confused as to what to do and they were really friendly and helpful and transferred me to NHS direct as they said they wouldn't class it as an emergency as such.

Anyways, my midwife didn't mention anything about emergency or non emergency she just said "ambulances are now charging" which is why I was confused. I didn't know the charge was only for non emergencies (silly me).

I want to stay in the comfort of my own home for as long as poss when things start moving and I go into labour. My little boy has just come out of staying in hospital for a few days due to an infection, am sick of hospitals and am in no rush to go back there so soon haha! I would only ring an ambulance if I really needed to obviously, and am glad to hear that it's only non emergencies that get charged.

Thank you all for your replies

xx

 

[aliss]

Krystal it's quite common that people don't know the difference and there's nothing wrong with that. If you aren't sure, it's always better to call then to not call. You'd be surprised how many people don't call in emergencies, because they don't want to be a bother. As long as it's a genuine question and a genuine not knowing, I'm sure the dispatchers don't mind. I know I didn't, and I don't know anyone who did.

I don't blame you for staying home. While I did end up transferring for prolonged pushing (it was a planned home birth), I would've done the same thing if it was meant to be in the hospital! Staying home made it so much easier, but I'd probably havev my OH toss me in the car instead. But we're only 1km from there

 

[JJWEBB]

An ambulance ride here in California is $1800! $100 sounds great to me, lol

 

[Radiance]

My cousin stopped breathing at 4 weeks old, the medics revived him but told my aunt she either had to pay 1000+ or needed to drive him herself. I was in shock!

 

[krystalemery]

That's disgusting.. Especially a baby of 4 weeks old, they shouldn't have given such an ultimatum and just taken him to hospital theirselves! If that's not an emergency what is?

I am happy to announce that baby Ava Grace was born yesterday at 2.23am weighing a whopping 9lb 8oz, drug free natural labour, very proud mummy to two beautiful children now! Didn't have the ambulance problem in the end, the mother-in-law drove us and was there to welcome baby Ava into the world with us

xx

 

[solitaire89]

Congratulations!! Glad you didn't need an ambulance of any variety

 

[Kate&Lucas]

I'm surprised they even send ambulances for labour. We got it drummed in to us at antenatal that you just wouldn't get one, free or not. They wouldn't send one to me when my waters broke and were black and dark green

Congrats on the baby!

 

[PepsiChic]

I have a $1300 bill for a hospital ride when i gave birth on the side of the road. all they did was transport us and it cost $1300....hate to think what it would of been if they had to deliver him!

 

[Blah11]

Unless babys head is being born or you are pushing or blood is pouring out, ambulances are unnecessary and a waste of resources. Get a taxi

 

[tamithomas]

Here in Canada sadly they've always charged. It's total bs. 125$ just to show up emergency or not! It's ridiculous. I'm sorry that the UK has enherited this disaster.

 

[mummytobe_93]

Yes ambulances have started charging.
They charge for things like injured people in car accidents, people who are intoxicated and i guess people who are in labour....

Total BS considering the amount of tax we pay...

 

[darkriver]

Yes ambulances have started charging.
They charge for things like injured people in car accidents, people who are intoxicated and i guess people who are in labour....

Total BS considering the amount of tax we pay...

Its now considered that the NHS is under collaspe and if something doesnt change the emergancy department will crumble under the pressure. I think it is just scaring us to death. Whats next charging for car crashes?