The West Midlands Ambulance Service has highlighted the crucial role patients play in their own diagnosis.

To mark World Patient Safety Day, the service is urging patients to provide as much information as possible during their 999 call, saying it could be the difference between life and death.

The service said: "Telling us what is wrong is one of the most important parts of us being able to make a correct diagnosis."

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Patients who do not require an ambulance may receive a call back from the Clinical Validation Team, consisting of paramedics and nurses, for further questioning.

The additional information helps in providing the right care, whether it be advice or referral to another NHS service.

If an ambulance is dispatched, patients are encouraged to answer questions truthfully and in detail, as well as allow access to GP records to assist in determining the best course of action.

Patient safety learning lead, Katie Cartwright, said: "Improving patient safety is of paramount importance to us and something we focus on every single day.

"We want to ensure ambulances are sent to patients who need them the most and by working with us, you can help us to get to patients more quickly which will help to save lives."