AFTER London Ambulance Service dealt with thousands of extra calls over the hot weekend, we ask should people pay for call-outs to self-inflicted emergencies such as falling over when drunk?

On Saturday alone staff in the control room answered 6,102 emergency calls, around a third more than on the Saturday two weeks earlier.

While some of the calls were due to medical conditions being exacerbated by the heat, others were down to people “forgetting to keep hydrated” or suffering alcohol-related injuries and illnesses.

If an ambulance has to be sent out to treat someone for the effects of too much sun or to patch up someone who has fallen over after too much booze, should there be a charge towards the emergency service’s time? Would the threat of having to pay make people think twice about their actions or about calling 999 unnecessarily?

What about the other emergency services? If, for example, in the event of someone being stuck in something or getting something stuck on him or herself, should that person be billed after being rescued by the fire brigade?

Should people have licence to be as reckless as they like because their taxes pay for the emergency services? In times of austerity and cutbacks, should 999 services remain ‘free’ all the time?

As well as reporting how busy it’s been in the hot weather, the ambulance service has also issued tips on how people can stay safe in the heat such as wearing a hat in the sun, drinking plenty of water and sitting in the shade. Is this an example of the nanny state or do people really need such obvious guidance?

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