Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on 999 callers being assessed via video-call technology such as Skype to determine whether an ambulance should be sent; and if he will make a statement.

The appropriate use of technology in the response to 999 calls is a matter for local National Health Service ambulance trusts, and this is not centrally monitored.

It is vital that 999 callers receive the most appropriate clinical response, when they need it. We are advised that South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust has been openly testing technology which enables clinicians to see and talk to responders and patients in appropriate situations, to triage patients better and organise the help that they need. This is not in place of sending an appropriate ambulance response.