‘Please be patient with us, we are thinly stretched’ – EMS

In a post on Facebook on June 27, the Mogale Response Services asked the community to please bear with them in this very difficult time as they try to get to all calls in a timely manner.

“As this surge is increasing and resources become more scarce, more often than not the representatives from the services will be running calls and treating patients. So please bear with us all.”

They further asked the community to please contact any of the emergency operating centres if they do not get a response on their local emergency groups.

These numbers are:
• Gauteng Provincial Government – 011 564 2210
• Netcare 911 – 082 911
• ER24 – 084 124

“You will receive a reference for any of the services. This will allow you to follow up on the call or update the Emergency Operating Centre if the patient’s condition changes. Waiting times for ambulances are honestly three to four hours at this time, and waiting times at hospitals can be up to two hours,” the post read.

“In saying this, please do not ask for an estimated time of arrival as we are unable to give it. Should you have the urge to know an estimated time of arrival please contact the Emergency Operating Centre of the service you requested, and give them the case or reference number in order to get an update.”

According to the post, if family or someone else can transport the patient privately they should do so.

There are very limited resources so we can’t always just ‘check out’ a patient. Please check if the patient wants to go to hospital. As harsh as it might sound, deceased patients take a back seat in priority at this time. Services will assist where possible, but please note that waiting times will be rather extended.

“As a general rule, if you do not get a response from 107, please dial them from your phone and make sure they have received your call and logged it. Also, please remember, 107 does not dispatch ambulances. They also have to phone Gauteng Provincial Government just like a complainant would have to do. The personnel in the Emergency Operating Centre are thinly stretched with sometimes one person in the Emergency Operating Centre.”

Lastly Mogale Response Services reminded the community that the 107 Emergency Operating Centre does not only service Mogale City but also Randfontein, Westonaria, Carletonville and Fochville.