Think twice about calling 999, says Jersey Ambulance Service

People should think carefully before calling 999 over the Christmas period, Jersey Ambulance Service has said.

It said paramedics could be prevented from helping serious casualties if they were called to non-emergencies.

John Sutherland, the ambulance service's acting chief officer, said Christmas was a very busy time for ambulance crews.

He said in the past ambulances had been called to deal with minor injuries such as a cut finger.

He said: "All I'm asking is (for) people to think twice before calling 999 for an ambulance."

Mr Sutherland added: "We do have anecdotal evidence of people cutting their fingers and things like that where really there's not a need for a paramedic crew to attend, and they could make their own way to the hospital.

"I'm not saying people aren't to call us, I'm just saying if people could consider a different way to travel to the hospital... I would ask you take that form of transport."