Every year, about 300,000 people call St John through Triple Zero (000) seeking an ambulance.
Western Australians are generally pretty good at knowing when they are facing a life-threatening emergency, but we have been receiving some calls to Triple Zero (000) which are not emergencies that relate to questions and concerns about COVID-19.
We want to arm people with a better understanding of the right time to call an ambulance, and when it’s more appropriate to contact another health service for assistance or advice.
There are dedicated helplines that provide support
for people seeking assistance and advice about COVID-19. Our population is well vaccinated and prepared, so while COVID-19 can cause a life-threatening emergency, it is not always the case.
Our goal is to keep our ambulance officers on
the road responding to people when they need us most.
How do I know if it's an emergency
If it’s an emergency, it’s best to call Triple Zero (000) rather than drive to hospital. Not only is it safer, paramedics can start treating a patient when they arrive. While every Triple Zero (000) caller is given assistance, it is important to remember that this number is for emergencies only. If you are unsure, call Triple Zero (000) and have the situation assessed.
You should call Triple Zero (000) if you or someone else is experiencing the following symptoms:
Who can I contact for help if it’s not an emergency?
There are a number of options available to assist you with less urgent health needs.
For advice and assistance about COVID-19, testing, regulations and support, please call 13 COVID (13 26843).
For non-emergency health advice, including queries about COVID-19, visit healthdirect.gov.au or call 1800 022 222 to speak to a registered nurse.
Book an appointment with your family General Practitioner. For urgent but not emergency care unrelated to COVID-19, contact St John Urgent Care.
Will I get an ambulance if I call Triple Zero (000)?
If you are experiencing an emergency and need an ambulance, you will get one.
Every call to Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance is carefully assessed to ensure we understand the patient’s requirements
and to ensure they get the care they need.
Less urgent calls go to our Secondary Triage Team for more detailed assessment to match callers to the service that best suits their needs. We may direct our callers to alternative care in some of these cases.
What else are we doing to make sure ambulances are available for emergencies?
We've returned about 1000 hours of ambulance time to the road every month through our programs to free up our crews to respond to Triple Zero (000) calls.
This has included: