'Please do not hoax’ – lifesaving charity warns the public

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity were tasked to two hoax calls across its six-county operating patch last week and is urging the public to avoid hoaxing.

The pre-hospital emergency service has issued this warning to those making false and malicious calls.

Sarah Folley, critical care paramedic for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, who was on shift and tasked to both hoax calls said: “We rapidly responded to two false call outs made in two different areas – one in Birmingham and a second in Stoke-on-Trent.

“Hoax calls to the ambulance service that lead to our pre-hospital emergency service being dispatched are very rare, so it is extremely saddening to receive two hoax calls during one shift.

“We want to make sure those making these calls are aware of the dangers that providing false and malicious information to emergency services can pose to the public.”

Ian Jones, clinical operations director for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, added: “Our pre-hospital emergency service’s daily missions are kindly funded by generous donations made by the public.

“To see that money go to waste as crews attend a scene that does not have a patient after being provided with false information is disheartening.

“Each air ambulance mission costs our charity £2,950 on average, that is money, fuel, and time – resources which should be used on patients in critical need who actually need our advanced medical help.

“We urge everyone to think about how their actions could affect others before making false and malicious calls.”