AMBULANCE SERVICE NOT DEALING WITH NON-SERIOUS CALLS

nlnews@archant.co.uk
07 July 2005

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said that they would not be dealing with non-serious calls from Londoners given the strain on services dealt by terror attacks.

He said: "Due to current levels of demand, we will, until further notice, only be sending ambulances to patients across the capital with life-threatening illnesses or injuries.

"As an example, this is people who have difficulty in breathing or persistent chest pains; those who have stopped breathing; or who have received traumatic injuries. This will enable us to focus on treating the large numbers of casualties at the scene.

"We would urge callers with minor injuries or illnesses to think about using other healthcare options, for example visit their local pharmacist or walk-in centre, or call NHS Direct for advice. If people need to go to hospital, they should use other modes of transport call a taxi or get a lift with a friend or family member." Haringey Council has not activated its emergency plan but Islington Council's is in action.

Islington Council leader Steve Hitchins said: "Everything is under control we've got very experienced people running our emergency action plan.

"We've got to stay very calm and take all our advice from the authorities.

I'm sure London will be back to normal very quickly." Steve Collard, manager of the N1 Centre in Upper Street, added: "It's business as usual here. We won't be shut down by outsiders." A spokesman for the British Library, on Euston Road, said: "Kings Cross and Euston is cordoned off.

"Police have advised us strongly that people stay where they are. There are staff and readers inside. We don't know if we will be open tomorrow. We are discussing contingency plans." Staff at the Business Design Centre in Islington were told by their bopsses not to leave the bulkding until further notice.