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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Wibu to get an ambulance ?

80 replies

riversflows · 16/07/2025 20:57

i live on my own, no family within a few hundred miles. I fell earlier and twisted my leg which has swollen up and I can’t put weight on it.the phone advice line say see my gp today but what can they do ?
I think I would be unreasonable but idk I can’t get around my house to make food and I can’t do the stairs to get to the bathroom or bedroom.

OP posts:
MissPobjoysPonies · 16/07/2025 21:55

Not against you OP just pointing out that some people don’t think about it like you have x

let’s not even go there regarding the people in the waiting room 🤣 expect you’ll see them shortly and wonder wtaf. The really ill ones will be sitting quietly not fussing.

Bpickle1 · 16/07/2025 21:54

Do not go to A&E, your life is not at risk,BIG clue here

AngryBird6122 · 16/07/2025 21:52

Hope you are ok OP

MissPobjoysPonies · 16/07/2025 21:52

People wasting ambulances:

anecdotal - I was there BTW with elderly mother with heart condition.

A couple came in (mid 20’s) both in an ambulance as they felt “sick” but hadn’t vomited. They called 999 and an ambulance was sent to their address - except they were in a holiday caravan so it went to their house in a different county…..
so they called for a second one

And no, we didn’t use an ambulance as we were advised it would take too long and it was essential to get DM there asap.

oh and the super sick non vomiters found time to continue to go out for cigarette breaks and sent out for a Mac D’s at breakfast.

not the only ones in that triage area either.

stichguru · 16/07/2025 21:49

Get a friend to take you or get a taxi. Ambulances are for people who might need lifesaving treatment on the ride in, might get rapidly worse if they don't get to hospital fast or cannot safely sit in a car - you are none of these.

Isittimeformynapyet · 16/07/2025 21:44

quicklywick · 16/07/2025 21:36

That's insane and then its us the general public who get blamed for wasting ambulances and misusing resources

Show quote history

Don't take it personally.

People definitely do waste them. That doesn't mean that anyone who's ever been in one was a time waster.

whynotmereally · 16/07/2025 21:43

Definitely taxi. 1 you get to find out if it’s broken, 2 pain relief and 3 walking Suda if needed

Busyquaver1 · 16/07/2025 21:39

Ambulances should be used for life or death situations heart attack =Ambulance. broken leg= make your own way there they are not a taxi service!!!

tinyspiny · 16/07/2025 21:38

N0sferatu · 16/07/2025 21:05

I doubt you'll achieve much by going to A&E anyway if it's just twisted.

If the leg is swollen and the OP can’t weight bear it needs looking at , could well be broken

OnTheBoardwalk · 16/07/2025 21:37

Was it 111 that told you?

I fell and couldn’t put weight on or move my knee without moving my trousers and it just kept swelling. I live about 2 miles from A&E but knew I would never get ambulance as would be literally waiting days or waiting hours at A&E

I called 111 first thing next day, I got immediate arrival time at A&E, got taxi and sent straight through to minors who confirmed nothing broken and arranged follow up care and more X-rays a few weeks later within 3 hours.

I was happy that there was nothing serious going on but did get excellent appropriate treatment

quicklywick · 16/07/2025 21:36

SteakBakesAndHotTakes · 16/07/2025 21:20

@quicklywick 111 are insane when it comes to ambulances. Pharmacy advised a 111 call for DC over a weekend due to fever, and the call handler called an ambulance without even telling me. Woke up at 3am to paramedics hammering on the door trying to get in. Utter madness.

That's insane and then its us the general public who get blamed for wasting ambulances and misusing resources

quicklywick · 16/07/2025 21:34

StMarie4me · 16/07/2025 21:23

You weren’t about to die though.

Ambulances are triaged and as long as an artery wasn’t severed they need to prioritise RTCs, Cardiac Arrests and Strokes. Your ambulatory ability bears no relevance in this situation.

Show quote history

They didn't want the ambulance.

Spies · 16/07/2025 21:26

StMarie4me · 16/07/2025 21:23

You weren’t about to die though.

Ambulances are triaged and as long as an artery wasn’t severed they need to prioritise RTCs, Cardiac Arrests and Strokes. Your ambulatory ability bears no relevance in this situation.

Show quote history

I think you misread the posters comment. She's well aware they were triaging in order of priority but felt compelled to wait because 111 had told her she must wait for the ambulance.

I'm sure had they adviced her to take a taxi she would have done so quite happily.

StMarie4me · 16/07/2025 21:23

PhilippaGeorgiou · 16/07/2025 21:03

I fell and severed a finger last year and was told I MUST wait for the ambulance. I could have f-ing walked to the hospital (15 miles) in the time it took to turn up (7 hours). Unless you want to die before getting it seen, I'd hobble to a taxi.

BTW - I am disabled and can barely walk!

You weren’t about to die though.

Ambulances are triaged and as long as an artery wasn’t severed they need to prioritise RTCs, Cardiac Arrests and Strokes. Your ambulatory ability bears no relevance in this situation.

SteakBakesAndHotTakes · 16/07/2025 21:20

@quicklywick 111 are insane when it comes to ambulances. Pharmacy advised a 111 call for DC over a weekend due to fever, and the call handler called an ambulance without even telling me. Woke up at 3am to paramedics hammering on the door trying to get in. Utter madness.

quicklywick · 16/07/2025 21:14

PhilippaGeorgiou · 16/07/2025 21:03

I fell and severed a finger last year and was told I MUST wait for the ambulance. I could have f-ing walked to the hospital (15 miles) in the time it took to turn up (7 hours). Unless you want to die before getting it seen, I'd hobble to a taxi.

BTW - I am disabled and can barely walk!

Was it 111 who told you, you had to wait for an ambulance or 999 as Iv had this from 111 before I absolutely did not need an ambulance but they wouldnt listen. So when I got of the phone to 111 I rang 999 to cancel the ambulance then rang a taxi.

PeapodMcgee · 16/07/2025 21:06

Taxi to urgent care where they have an x-ray. Our local minor injuries xray closes at 8pm though.

N0sferatu · 16/07/2025 21:05

I doubt you'll achieve much by going to A&E anyway if it's just twisted.

MidnightPatrol · 16/07/2025 21:03

You don’t need an ambulance.

Order a taxi if you really feel you need to go to A+E.

It is most likely a bad sprain - rest, ice, compression, elevation. It may seem a lot better in the morning.

Leave the ambulances free for genuine time critical emergencies.

PhilippaGeorgiou · 16/07/2025 21:03

I fell and severed a finger last year and was told I MUST wait for the ambulance. I could have f-ing walked to the hospital (15 miles) in the time it took to turn up (7 hours). Unless you want to die before getting it seen, I'd hobble to a taxi.

BTW - I am disabled and can barely walk!

nocoolnamesleft · 16/07/2025 21:02

A&E sounds more reasonable than GP, but taxi sounds more reasonable than ambulance.

Rewis · 16/07/2025 21:01

I doubt they would send one. Take a taxi to A&E or go see your GP tomorrow if you get an appointment. Depending on the surgery they might be able to get x rays and take care of it or they can send you to somewhere else.

Original poster
riversflows · 16/07/2025 21:00

Thanks. Somebody in the family said get an ambulance but that seemed Ott to me. Taxi it is.

OP posts:
LivingDeadGirlUK · 16/07/2025 21:00

get a taxi, you would be waiting ages for an ambulance anyway as would be low priority.

tinyspiny · 16/07/2025 21:00

Get a taxi , friend or ask a neighbour to take you