Table 5 Clinicians' stated reasons for patients 'refusing to travel'

Non injury/minor injury 120 (54.5%)

'Fall – no injury'

'Minor injuries only'

'RTA – no injuries'

Patient responded to treatment/recovered/significantly improved 54 (24.5%)

'Condition improved after treatment'

'Baby delivered, no need for transportation'

For assessment by other clinician (usually doctor) 2 (0.9%)

'Examined by out of hours doctor'

No medical emergency/social problem/inappropriate call out 12 (5.5%)

'No medical emergency (4 ^th visit in last 20 hours)'

'Faint – couldn't get through to Out of hours [OOH] doctor so called ambulance'

'Not appropriate as social problem'

'No reason for call-out'

'Can't cope – wants to go but only if wife can go as well'

Explicitly recorded refused to travel against advice 32 (14.5%)

'Refused against strongest advice and concerns'

'Refused transport four times'

'Refused – pain in lumbar region following RTA'

'Refused – liased with out of hours GP'