Hamster bite one of 999 calls (From South Wales Argus)

Hamster bite one of 999 calls

11:10am Friday 17th August 2012 in Gwent news

 INAPPROPRIATE 999 calls, including two men calling because they were hung over and a woman who was bitten on the finger by a hamster, are putting emergency services under increasing pressure, Wales’ chief medical officer warned.

Dr Chris Jones, Wales’ acting chief medical officer and medical director of NHS Wales, said a combination of increased numbers of 999 calls for ambulances and a rise in those attending emergency departments has caused increased pressure on health services in the past few weeks.

Cases highlighted by Dr Jones included a man who had who been to his GP in the morning and been given ointment to rub on his back. He later phoned 999 and said he didn’t have anyone to rub ointment into his back.