Help other families act quickly and confidently

You might want to share:

• What happened
• What made you decide to call 999
• What the experience was like
• What support you received

Why Sharing Matters

Your experience can:

• Help others recognise emergencies
• Reduce hesitation in critical moments
• Encourage faster action
• Support families in making life‑saving decisions

A Safe and Respectful Space

• You can share anonymously
• Your experience will be treated with care and respect
• There is no pressure to share

👉 Share your experience and help another family feel more confident in an emergency

Understanding when 999 is the right choice

👶 Scenario 1: Baby Not Breathing Properly

“My baby was making unusual breathing sounds and struggling to breathe.”

👉 Action: Called 999 immediately
Outcome: Ambulance arrived quickly and baby received urgent care

💬 Why it matters: Breathing issues are always emergencies

🤰 Scenario 2: Heavy Bleeding After Birth

“I suddenly experienced heavy bleeding a few days after giving birth.”

👉 Action: Called 999
Outcome: Emergency care provided

💬 Why it matters: Post‑natal bleeding can be serious

👶 Scenario 3: Child Unresponsive

“My child became very drowsy and stopped responding normally.”

👉 Action: Called 999 immediately
Outcome: Urgent assessment and hospital care

💬 Why it matters: Changes in responsiveness should never be delayed

❤️ Scenario 4: Sudden Chest Pain

“I had severe chest pain and felt something wasn’t right.”

👉 Action: Called 999
Outcome: Immediate medical support

💬 Why it matters: Chest pain should always be treated as urgent

Understanding what to expect can help reduce stress in the moment.

✅ Step 1 – Operator Response

• You will be asked:
  👉 “Which service do you need?”
• Ask for Ambulance

✅ Step 2 – Key Questions

You will be asked:

• What has happened
• Where you are (location/postcode)
• Details about symptoms

👉 Stay calm and answer clearly

✅ Step 3 – Immediate Guidance

• The operator may give instructions

• This could include:

  • CPR guidance
  • How to help someone breathe
  • What to do until help arrives

✅ Step 4 – Emergency Response

• An ambulance may be sent
• You may be advised to go to A&E

👉 Support begins from the moment you call

✅ Possible Outcomes

After calling 999:

• 🚑 Ambulance dispatched immediately
• 🗣 You receive life‑saving instructions over the phone
• 🏥 Patient taken to hospital for urgent care
• 📲 In some cases, alternative urgent pathways may be arranged

👉 The priority is always fast, life‑saving support

Call 999 immediately if you or someone else has:

🫁 Breathing Problems

• Difficulty breathing
• Gasping or struggling for air

❤️ Chest Pain

• Sudden or severe chest pain
• Possible heart‑related symptoms

🧠 Loss of Consciousness

• Unresponsive
• Collapsed or fainted and not waking

🩸 Severe Bleeding

• Heavy bleeding that will not stop

👶 Serious Illness in a Baby or Child

• Very drowsy or unresponsive
• Blue lips or skin
• Seizures (fits)
• Difficulty breathing

🤰 Serious Pregnancy or Post‑Birth Symptoms

• Heavy bleeding
• Severe abdominal pain
• Collapse or feeling extremely unwell

👉 If you believe a life is at risk — call 999 immediately

⚠️ If You Are Not Sure

👉 If you are unsure whether it is an emergency:

• Call 111 for advice
• But if the situation feels serious or worsening quickly:

👉 Always choose 999

It is better to be safe and act quickly

Emergency help when it matters most

There may be moments when you or your child need urgent, life‑saving medical help.

In these situations, knowing what to do quickly can make a critical difference.

👉 NHS 999 is for serious, life‑threatening emergencies where immediate action is needed

At Basch Helps, we want families to feel confident and supported in recognising these situations and acting without hesitation.

💛 What Is NHS 999?

NHS 999 is the UK’s emergency service number, available 24 hours a day.

When you call 999, you are connected to:

• Ambulance services
• Emergency medical support
• Immediate help when time is critical

👉 It is designed for serious and urgent situations

👶 For Parents & Families

It can be difficult to know when a child’s condition is serious.

👉 Trust your instincts if:

• Your child looks very unwell
• Their behaviour is very different
• Symptoms are sudden or severe

You will never be criticised for calling 999

💛 A Reassuring Message

Many parents worry about:

• Overreacting
• “Getting it wrong”
• Wasting resources

👉 Please remember:

Emergency services are there for you — your safety comes first

❤️ How Basch Helps Can Support You

We understand that emergencies can be frightening and overwhelming.

We can:

• Offer emotional support following stressful situations
• Help you understand what happened
• Signpost you to ongoing care and support services
• Be a safe space to talk

👉 You don’t have to process difficult experiences alone