LEIGHTON Hospital's ambulance service has called for patients to stop wasting time as needy patients miss out on the service as a result.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust has asked patients to cancel routine ambulance transport that has been booked for them if they don't need it.

The trust said ambulances regularly arrive to collect patients who no longer need the service because they are either able to make the journey on their own, or because they are too ill to travel as arranged.

Jerry Park, director of operations for the trust, said if transport wasn't cancelled, or was cancelled too late, the trust would still have to foot the bill.

"All that is needed is a telephone call, either to one of the two lines available at Leighton Hospital or to the Ambulance Service Cancellation Line," he said.

"The aim of the trust is to ensure that we meet the need of every patient who requires an ambulance on medical grounds.

"If those who do not need the ambulance remember to cancel or re-arrange, it will help other patients who do need transport to get to the hospital."

Ambulance bookings are made at Leighton Hospital on 612380 and 612381. For the 24-hour Ambulance Cancellation Line call 01244 370395.

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