First of all, Tom I loved your book, I have recomended it to anyone who asks me what working in the ambulance service is like (or say "Ooh I bet you see some sights). On the subject of whether people lie about their problems to get an ambulance - of course they do! In WMAS we have a paramedic in the control room, if a call taker feels that a person does not need an ambulance they will transfer the call to the paramedic who will give advice over the phone. Often you will start running on a job and will be stood down as the case is 'going to the Paramedic in the room'. 5 minutes later you will be running on the job again, but now it won't be itchy teeth...nooo it will be itchy teeth with chest pain! People know that if they complain of chest pain or difficulty in breathing they will get an ambulance. And they will (maybe) get it very quickly.