calling an ambulance from another part of the country?

[murbblurb]

this is a hypothetical question and I really hope it stays that way.

in the UK - if I am (say)100 miles from someone who has phoned me and clearly needs an ambulance, but is in no state to call one, can I do it and get in touch with the right area? Anyone know how it works?

Yes that's fine, when you call 999 you should have the option of choosing a different area

The despatch team will take the address of the person needing medical attention surely?

I’ve done it, I always assumed it called a central hub of some kind where they then messaged a local dispatcher. I was calling for a person in Cornwall and I was in Surrey. Wasn’t a problem.

Yes, I've done it and it was fine - the call handler just asked for the address.

Ambulances have been called from foreign countries before. You should have no worries with this.

Having been in charge of an emergency services control room 999 op may put you through to another area but the preferred course of action is to connect you to the local room to your call. The onus is then the room who took the call to get the correct control room and whilst the caller is on the line to the original room another colleague in the room should be updating the correct room. It sounds a little complicated but it is not I can assure you.

Have had to deal with this situation many times. Hope that this helps.

Yes, it would be fine.

You can also alert for a gas leak 300 miles away and cause an entire road to be dug up and a garage destroyed (which didn't have planning permission) looking for it, as my dm found.
My gran was thoroughly entertained for weeks, and we never told her who had phoned the gas company.

Out of interest, what would you dial if you're phoning from abroad?

I've phoned for my mum from my house 200 miles away x

brilliant, thank you everybody for reassurance. Hoped this would be the answer but nice to know the system works.