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Ambulance

When to call

You should always call triple zero

Sometimes symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease can appear to be quite severe. When a person with Parkinson’s has a symptomatic episode the most important thing you need to know is NOT TO PANIC. Often the episode will pass without consequence, or the patient may be due for medication which can relieve symptoms.

The most common reasons someone with Parkinson’s requires emergency attention are falls, heart problems or chest pains, psychiatric episodes, fainting, choking or aspiration, and undiagnosed severe abdominal pain.

For an ambulance when

  • Headache (severe) – not the usual kind, with or without loss of function of arm or leg

  • A motor vehicle accident – if you think someone has been injured

  • An industrial accident – where a person is injured or trapped

  • Vaginal bleeding (severe) – with possible or confirmed pregnancy

  • A suicide attempt

  • Pain (severe) after a fall or injury – when the person is unable to sit up, stand or walk

  • A drug overdose or poisoning – whether you know for sure or just suspect an overdose

  • Diabetes – if the person is not fully awake or not behaving normally

  • An allergic reaction – especially with difficulty breathing or loss of consciousness

  • Electrical shock – of any kind

  • Trauma (injury) – if it is severe, especially to the head, neck, chest or abdomen – for example, if the person was stabbed, shot or impaled, or hit by or ran into an object

  • Meningococcal disease – if symptoms indicate possible infection

  • Hypothermia or heat stress – particularly if the person is collapsed or has an altered conscious state.

  • Headache (severe) – not the usual kind, with or without loss of function of arm or leg

  • A motor vehicle accident – if you think someone has been injured

  • An industrial accident – where a person is injured or trapped

  • Vaginal bleeding (severe) – with possible or confirmed pregnancy

  • A suicide attempt

  • Pain (severe) after a fall or injury – when the person is unable to sit up, stand or walk

  • A drug overdose or poisoning – whether you know for sure or just suspect an overdose

  • Diabetes – if the person is not fully awake or not behaving normally

  • An allergic reaction – especially with difficulty breathing or loss of consciousness

  • Electrical shock – of any kind

  • Trauma (injury) – if it is severe, especially to the head, neck, chest or abdomen – for example, if the person was stabbed, shot or impaled, or hit by or ran into an object

  • Meningococcal disease – if symptoms indicate possible infection

  • Hypothermia or heat stress – particularly if the person is collapsed or has an altered conscious state.

If in doubt

Call 000 on your phone, remain calm and the operator will be able to determine if you need an ambulance.

In Queensland a phone service such as 13HEALTH can assist with non life threatening cases:

You can phone 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Qualified staff will give you advice on who to talk to and how quickly you should do it. The advice is confidential, qualified and supportive. 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) can ease your concerns. 13 HEALTH is a Queensland Government Service.

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