Coronavirus: Ambulance worker voice message is 'not correct'

  • Published
South East Coast AmbulanceImage source, SECAMB

An ambulance service has denounced a voice message which contains "alarmist" false details about its response to coronavirus.

The message, shared on WhatsApp, claims ambulances will not be sent to people struggling to breathe and Covid-19 patients will be "dying at home".

It was recorded by a woman who says she works for South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) NHS Trust.

The trust said the contents of the message were "not correct".

It urged people to "disregard the message and not share it further".

Emma-Louise James, who was one of those to receive the message, thanked the trust for "addressing" it, adding: "It's making people's anxiety levels go through the roof."

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post by SECAmb

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post by SECAmb

Healthwatch England has also warned the public to ignore the message, which claims bodies are being sent to "every ice-skating rink there is in the UK" because mortuaries are full.

The BBC understands an investigation has been launched to determine whether the woman was a genuine ambulance worker.

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, external, on Twitter, external, and on Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk.

Related internet links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.