UPDATE: St John Ambulance today advised they are experiencing extremely high demand for its ambulance services across the country.

They have advised there may be a delay answering 111 calls and that they may not be able to send an ambulance immediately for non-life threating problems.

Examples of life or limb threatening problems include:

 • severe chest pain or tightness which could indicate a heart attack (note some mild chest discomfort is common with COVID-19 but this should not be severe)

• difficulty breathing 

• choking 

• broken arms or legs where circulation to the hand or foot is compromised. 

• sudden weakness or difficulty talking, which could lead to a stroke 

• fainting or unconsciousness (inability to be woken) 

• severe bleeding or bleeding that won’t stop. 

For all non-life threating problems St John are asking the public to call their GP or Healthline.