999 call handler and misunderstanding

[doldrums13]

This morning I collapsed at home after having a glass of water (relevant). My husband rang 999 and said that I'd had a drink and collapsed which the operator then took to mean that I was drunk.

The ambulance was cancelled when I came around and I went to my local doctors who are going to run some tests.

But...will we be referred to SS or will any follow up happen as the operator thought I was drunk and in the background of the call you can hear my distressed children?

Really? Your DH didn't clarify the situation on the call?

Doubt it.

And if you do get referred (assuming your house isn't full of dog faeces and obviously beaten children) SS will drop it like it's hot when the misunderstanding is explained.

How do you know that's what the operator took it mean?

🤨

Did the operator actually say they would cancel the ambulance because they thought you were drunk

Why didn't you go to hospital??

which the operator then took to mean that I was drunk

Are you just assuming this? The call handler would surely have asked what you had been drinking and how much if she thought it was alcohol.
Why would SS be called? A responsible adult, your DH, was there with the children so even if you had had a litre of gin I don’t see why SS would be concerned.

Who cancelled the ambulance? DH or the call handler?

I hope you are feeling better op. Try not to worry about SS.

So did the operator ask what you had been drinking?

Even if you’d had an alcoholic drink (hardly a rare occurrence) and then collapsed I doubt the handler would have cancelled the ambulance at least without clarifying with your DH what exactly had happened. Hope you are feeling much better. It sounds scary. I have no idea about SS but can’t see why they would be involved.

No way on earth a 999 operator wouldn't ask what you'd been drinking.

Water. Meths. Diluted arsenic?

Surley the call handler would have clarified what you had drunk?

SS will nt be interested. They will wont even be informed. Honestly SS bar is SO high. If they was, they will ask what happened, you explain, off they trot.

There is no money for SS to deal with such minor stuff. As a parent of a severely disabled child believe me. We have had SS come and go for all sorts of reasons. They dont have time unless its crisis or immediate risk of harm.

I’m sorry you were ill OP however the call handler wouldn’t have just assumed you were drunk - and they certainly wouldn’t have cancelled the ambulance if you were drunk (ambulances get sent out to squillions of drunk people). The ambulance would have been cancelled because you came round with no ill affects and were able to get yourself to a doctor.

Are you sure that your husband hasn’t just misunderstood or confused something in his panic/confusion?

Why would you having a glass of water be relevant anyway? If someone collapsed I’d just say they collapsed.

In what universe would it not occur to someone that saying “she collapsed after she had a drink” could be ambiguous?

This just sounds so odd.

Calling BS. After having had to ring 999 multiple times for such. They will ask what you've been drinking and how much you've had to drink.

I think it was an alcoholic drink, but they're now worried how it will look to social services so trying out excuses

You would get a clinician call you back at some point to discuss their concerns if they were worried you were drunk and in charge of children.
I would check with your surgery, they may have a small amount of access to the notes.

This doesn’t make sense. Why would you collapse drinking a glass of water? Why did you “come round” and they cancel the ambulance? Do you have an existing medical condition? Didn’t DH explain what he meant?

More info needed OP.
How do you know what could be heard in the background of the call?
Who cancelled the ambulance?
Why would DH even mention having a drink?

Why would your husband mentioned you had a drink?
Call handlers wouldn't cancel a ambulance for any suddenly unconscious person, even if they were drunk.

Why would you collapse after drinking a glass of water?

Surely they would clarify what you had to drink? Why was the ambulance cancelled?

This all sounds very odd, I don't really understand it as it's surely bordering on negligence for a call handler to cancel an ambulance based on their perception of somebody as drunk and therefore not deserving of an ambulance. I think you've got the wrong idea about what the call handler thought.

Don't want to speak out of turn but is it possible that you were drunk, are now panicking and thinking whether this excuse would fly if you were questioned about it?
Being as we are a random bunch of strangers on the internet, be as honest as you like. Whatever the situation, there's normally someone around with sensible advice!
No offence meant either way

Maybe your DH thought you'd necked a glass of vodka prior to your collapse? An ambulance would still attend someone in a state of collapse, regardless of whether alcohol was involved or not. People who are unwell due to an overdose of alcohol or any other kind of drug are still entitled to emergency medical attention if required, the ambulance service don't sit in judgement.