I don't know if anyone saw this programme on ITV tonight (well last night now, I'm doing not sleeping at all at the moment, hence posting at this time) - it was one of the 'Tonight' series and can be seen again on ITV Player.
It's really left me freaked out and I could do with a bit of reassurance. I'm sure it's a case partly of trying to make good TV, but normally I see through these and don't let them effect me, but this one really got to me. Their claims were essentially about under-qualified ambulance staff being sent (rather than paramedics) to life-threatening cases - they mentioned for instance anaphylactic reactions and staff not being allowed to administer emergency drugs - and the potential consequences of this.
I have to say I have had no experience of this - I've had ambulances called several times both for my asthma and other conditions and in all cases I have received exceptional care. The only problem I've had is the lost crew that couldn't find my GP's surgery - only time I've seen my GP flap at all! I've had problems at A&E where the ambulance staff have treated me so well the A&E docs haven't believed how unwell I was when they picked me up, but never had problems with ambulance staff who were not able to offer me the care I needed.
Did this programme just pick out a few exceptional cases or have I been lucky (and hence should I be worrying)?