TIRED Carnival revellers should forget trying to abuse the new ambulance policy that instructs paramedics to stop at the roadside and render aid in emergency cases.

Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan changed the ambulance policy earlier this week following the death of an infant who was refused help by emergency medical technicians who were headed to the San Fernando General Hospital.

Speaking with the media yesterday following the sod-turning ceremony for the construction of the Couva District Health Facility Laboratory, Khan said although the new policy "is that no Government ambulance should leave any patient in distress on any street", people must stop them with a level of urgency, and the pick-ups will be done at the discretion of the ambulance drivers.

He said, "We wouldn't stop to pick up a masquerader because your foot hurting you from jumping up too long. I do not expect that they will do that, but if they do stop and the ambulance has somebody in it then obviously they can't pick them up but if the ambulance does not have anybody and they need urgent treatment then that is different."