Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Definition of Ambulance Service

As part of an NHS trust, ambulance services are required to respond to:

• emergency cases (999 calls)
• doctors’ urgent admission requests
• high-dependency and urgent inter-hospital transfers
• major incidents

The telephone operator will assess how serious the emergency is and then decides which response is most appropriate. In nearly all cases an ambulance is sent, crewed by a paramedic who is trained and equipped to provide treatment at the scene of accidents and emergencies. The ambulance itself is designed to provide a mobile clinical workplace, fully stocked with a range of emergency care resources.

If your condition appears less serious, you may be put through to the telephone helpline NHS Direct (0845 4647). An experienced nurse will go through your condition in more detail and advise you on the most appropriate service that can help you. They may also give you advice about how best to care for yourself.

• AbortionAbscessAccident and emergency departmentsAccidents and first aidAccidents to children in the homeAcneAcoustic neuromaActinomycosisAcupunctureAddictionsAddison's diseaseAdenoids and adenoidectomyAgoraphobiaAir embolismAlcohol misuseAllergiesAltitude sicknessAlzheimer's diseaseAmbulance ServiceAmniocentesisAmniotomyAmoebiasisAnaemiaAnaesthesiaAnaesthetic, generalAnaesthetic, localAnal fissureAnal fistulaAnaphylaxisAndrogen insensitivity syndromeAneurysmAnginaAngioedemaAngiographyAnkylosing spondylitisAnorexia nervosaAntacid drugsAntenatal careAntenatal screeningAnti-inflammatories, non-steroidalAnticoagulant drugsAntidepressant drugsAntifungal drugsAntihistamine drugsAnxietyAphasiaApnoeaAppendicitisArthritisArthroscopyArtificial inseminationAsbestosisAspergillosisAsthmaAstigmatismAtherosclerosisAthlete's footAtrial fibrillationAttention deficit hyperactivity disorderAutism

  ---