Patients Who Call Ambulances for Primary Care Problems

Conclusions

There is a perception of a dichotomous infrastructure that delivers either routine or emergency care, with little middle ground. Individuals' risk management strategy often defaults to the most immediate response, especially if acting in the capacity of a formal carer. When chronic conditions exist, there may be a role for more detailed triage and pre-emptive exacerbation planning, focussing on empowerment to choose the most appropriate provider. A public perception of closer working between urgent primary care and ambulance services might help to address the perceived fragmentation.