The person complaining about being disturbed by paramedics who had the wrong address (Opinion, August 23) must appreciate they are normally responding to a garbled message which will lead them to a nasty situation of human distress.

They do not expect to be received as social visitors and are accustomed to entering premises in a frequently unconventional manner in order to save lives. It is also likely that after working extremely long shifts they may be lacking in social graces, especially towards a hostile person who compares them to a taxi service.

In spite of this, I have always found them to be decent and conscientious people who represent a service still the envy of the world. I can assure the writer were he ever gasping on the floor of his house and just able to croak his garbled address on his telephone, they, with the possible help of his neighbours, would break down his door in order to save his life. An apology is in order, but not from the paramedics.

-William Corkerton, Tottington Drive, Small Dole