What's the done thing - ambulance blocking me in

[rightsofwomen]

Ambulance (no flashing lights) outside blocking me (and 5 neighbours) in.

Need to leave (non urgent) in 10 mins.
I can’t ask them to move, can I?

[JacquesHammer]

Absolutely ok, to ask if you have a real emergency not just an urgent appointment

I'm currently under hospital care following an accident. On the letters that give me my appointments it makes it VERY clear that if I miss an appointment or give less than 24 hours for cancellation then I am discharged.

So not an emergency as I don't require emergency treatment, but I do need to remain under the hospital care therefore it is urgent.

[ukelelebanana]

Is getting to work really that urgent that you have to ask a paramedic to stop delivering potentially life saving treatment to move their ambulance?

They could be a paramedic! Or any number of things where you can't just come in a bit later.

[BeingATwatItsABingThing]

ukelelebanana

Yep, you’re right, they could be and that would change things. But for most jobs, it wouldn’t be life or death.

[thewheelsonthebuz]

The flashing lights are to warn oncoming traffic to get out of the way

Nothing to do with the ‘seriousness’ or otherwise of a call out!

[JonSnowsWife]

I think people are a little ott about never daring to ask an ambulance if they could move

Not at all. Unless you're an on-call neurosurgeon or a paramedic yourself. It is rude and unnecessary and 90% of the time done out of pure entitlement.

[JonSnowsWife]

And obviously people who need emergency treatment themselves.

[jacks11]

Is getting to work really that urgent that you have to ask a paramedic to stop delivering potentially life saving treatment to move their ambulance?

Don't be so ridiculous! That is clearly not what I meant. But for clarity, I would not ask the paramedics to stop delivering lifesaving- or any other- treatment to move the ambulance. I would, however, be prepared to go over with the intention of enquiring whether they would be able to move- obviously, if it was clear that something serious was happening or paramedics/family/friend said they couldn't move, that would be an end to it. As I said, ambulances are frequently delayed in non life-threatening situations- having to make full checks (even though clear patient is fine) or whilst waiting to be called back by another service such as GP. In those situations, you could be waiting a very long time for them to move and it would be perfectly safe for the ambulance to be moved.

[rightsofwomen]

Film excellent.
Neighbour had chest pains, but all ok after check. A good outcome

[HouseworkIsAPain]

This reminds me of the time an ambulance was blocking my cul de sac. I leaned to the right to see if I could squeeze past, hands on steering wheel. My arm accidentally leant on the horn, which was on the left and right of the steering wheel rather than in the middle. The paramedic did come out and move the ambulamce and I don’t think believe me when I said I beeped accidentally.

Still feel embarrassed to this day that I beeped the ambulance.

[NerrSnerr]

I’m surprised how many people think it’s ok to knock on the door of someone with an ambulance crew inside? What if they’d fallen ill in the hallway? How undignified for the patient. Could be relatives watching the crew do CPR or comforting them after the death of a loved one. If I was late for work or an appointment I’d call and explain.

[JonSnowsWife]

Still feel embarrassed to this day that I beeped the ambulance.

Housework that's completely understandable. No need to feel embarassed about that.

[Eryri1981]

Since have bigger ambulances and ones with tail lifts we have no choice but to block roads on a regular basis.

Lights flashing or not is irrelevant. If you leave the lights on you have to leave the engine running (run lock, so no keys in the ignition) or else risk draining the battery. In residential areas we would generally consider leaving the engine running and/ or the lights on ( the strobe lights are really intrusive) to be totally inconsiderate, and therefore we avoid doing it out of courtesy (particularly at night). Unless it would be dangerous otherwise.

Knocking on the door of ambulance or house, coming up to window of house (I just close the curtains in their face) or tooting horn will just piss us off and potentially distress patient and family.

We will generally park it better once patients had been assessed/ move off to a better spot to do further interventions if it is convenient and of no detriment to the patient.

I have no issue with being politely asked if I could move it when possible of I am out getting stuff from ambulance.

[schoolgaterebel]

I knew someone who lived down a narrow lane leading to a church. She was routinely blocked in by hearse & funeral cars, always filled with bereaved family members. She often missed appointments or was late.

They met with local funeral homes but there was nothing the drivers of the hearses and limousine chauffeurs could do as their lane was the only access and drop off point (they could not turn around so just lined up in the lane and waited).

On trying to get a vehicle moved one day to get her DD to an important hospital appointment she was confronted by a distraught and emotional widow, who was wailing and swearing at her (understandably completely focussed on her own sad day) it was awful for everyone involved.

They sold their house and moved eventually.