Medical emergencies - Ambulance or drive to hospital? The results from a study in Amercia published in 2004, showed that fewer than 60% of people with chest pain call 111 to obtain emergency medical care. Many noncallers believed that private transportation would get them to the hospital faster than by ambulance. However it was found that the correct emergency treatment in hospital occurred sooner for those who had arrived by ambulance.

With the modern NZ St Johns Ambulance service patients undergo assessment and receive early therapy with oxygen and medication before driving begins. And even if a family member does the driving, a patient who becomes unconscious is worse off in a family car than in an ambulance. As mentioned, arriving at hospital by ambulance ensures the fastest entry into the hospital system and a shorter time to definitive intervention for a heart attack.

While St Johns charge a fee for ambulance call-outs, if you pay a modest subscription, any ambulance trips you might make in a year are free.

Reference
Hutchings CB et al. Patients with chest pain calling 911 or self-transporting to reach definitive care: Which mode is quicker? Am Heart J 2004 Jan; 147:35-41.  

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