To be honest TR, some of us on the sector desks have been doing something similar for ages. A lot of our customers actually ring LAS on 999 NOT because they have no money for a cab, but frequently have no credit on their mobile phone to CALL a cab, and can only dial 999. So - once we have established this - we often will call a cab on their behalf, which said customer is perfectly happy to pay for. As for the "back of the queue" thing in CAS, one brilliant sister at a west London hospital (sadly she's moved elsewhere) usee to say to the patient in front of everyone "You called an ambulance for THAT???? Waiting room - and be prepared for a very long wait!!"