HOAX CALLS RISK LIVES

The claim comes after Department of Health figures showed there were almost 500 hoax calls in Craigavon in the past five years, with 74 in the past 12 months.

There were also 21 hoaxes from the Lurgan deployment point, which has only been recorded since 2006, in the past year there were 18 hoax calls

"We would receive over 400 emergency calls a month," said the paramedic.

"So the number of hoax calls can be small.

"But now there are nights when there are only two ambulances on and if one is out and the other attending a hoax call then Craigavon can be left without any cover.

"Most hoax calls may not be an actual hoax, on a Friday and Saturday night we do get calls about someone lying on the ground.

"And when we get there the person has either gone or is just drunk and doesn't need our help.

"Those calls would be recorded as a hoax, but they are probably not a hoax in the real sense - it's just people with well meaning intentions."

He went on: "In other cases it can be kids playing around or trying to lure the police into an area - which happened one time at a call I attended.

"Now we are having to cover the likes of Armagh and Cookstown because of cuts to the budget.

"If we are out there and it is a hoax then someone could die."

In the figures released by the Department of Health, there were 480 hoax calls in the past five years in the area with another 21 at the Lurgan deployment point.

During the same time there were 9,335 hoax calls across the province.

Craigavon Councillor Dr Philip Weir said: "Our figures are much higher than neighbouring council areas such as Banbridge, Armagh or Dungannon.

"The Craigavon figure for last year of 74 was the lowest of the five year period.

"However, this may be explained in part by a further 18 hoax calls to the Lurgan deployment point.

"These figures for hoax calls from the Ambulance Service include categories of hoax callers, no case at the scene, nothing found at the scene and patient absconded.

"Across Northern Ireland there have been almost ten thousand hoax calls to ambulance depots since 2004-5.

"This will of course be on top of similar calls to the fire service and other agencies.

"This mindless behaviour uses up resources and puts genuinely ill patients at risk as vehicles and staff are wasting time attending hoaxes.

"Those responsible must be severely reprimanded and brought to realize the dangers resulting from their actions."