A group of ‘mindless’ students have been accused of wasting NHS funds after competing against each other to see who can get the most trips to A&E during fresher’s week.
York University has launched an investigation into the youngsters who created an ‘ambulance chart’ to log call-outs for their drunken injuries – which cost the health service hundreds of pounds each time.
They have racked up five in just nine days – including for a booze-fuelled fight and a housemate who fell off a wall on their way home from a night out.
Two of the students – Jake Clarke and Oli Clarke – sparked fury after they were pictured online posing with one of their friends beside the chart which is pinned on their kitchen wall at the St Lawrence Court accommodation.
The youngsters are also thought to have a ‘chunder chart’ tracking the number of times they have been sick as well as a ‘flat incest’ tally – to keep count of housemates sleeping together.
Two of the students – Jake Clarke and Oli Clarke – sparked fury after they were pictured online posing with one of their friends beside the chart. It is not known if those pictured are among the students who were treated by NHS crews
The ‘ambulance chart’ logs call-outs for the students’ drunken injuries – which cost the health service hundreds of pounds each time
Commenting on the shocking image, Kate Watson said: ‘That’s disgraceful. I hope they’re happy with themselves wasting NHS resources deliberately and making a victory chart for it.
‘I hope they realise someone could have passed away unnecessarily at a roadside because of them.’
Joanne Guy added: ‘If this is for real I am stunned at the stupidity.
‘When there is no ambulance to attend a heart attack or car crash or a child choking it may be because they were dealing with these selfish feckless idiots.’
Baz Wright said: ‘Alcohol-related injuries and illnesses should not be treated for free.
‘Charge these boys so their bad decisions don’t cost the sensible British people, and charge then double if it happens again, to teach them some morals!’
Three of the students are pictured posing with their ‘flat mascot’ doll outside accommodation at York University’s Halifax College
One incident is thought to involve a student who needed emergency root canal surgery after getting into a fight on a night out.
Emergency services were also called after a student dislocated his shoulder jumping from a 15ft wall, student newspaper The Tab reported.
Second year students allegedly called for an ambulance twice in one night when they saw the condition two girls came home in.
Two of the housemates have since said that their drinks had been spiked on a night out.
The following night a student was taken to hospital after jumped off of a wall on his way home.
When he woke up, he discovered that another of his flatmates was in the hospital bed next to him for alcohol poisoning.
It is not known if those pictured are among the students who were treated by NHS crews.
Oli Clarke, pictured left, and Jake Clarke, pictured right, posed with the ‘ambulance chart’ in an image which has sparked a furious backlash
When approached for comment by MailOnline, one of the students said: ‘We’ve all discussed it and collectively decided we are not going to speak to the media.’
But writing online, one of the other youngsters named Lewis Barrett defended his actions saying: ‘If you need an ambulance, you need an ambulance.
He continued: ‘I wasn’t drunk either, I was the one making sure everyone got home OK and made a mistake. So get off your high horse, I needed an ambulance so one was called.’
At the university, international relations student Robert Thorpe, 18, who lives in an adjacent block, said the flat had become ‘famous’ within the campus.
Witnesses said ambulances were seen making repeated trips to the halls of residence on consecutive nights during recent weeks.
The square is occupied by more than 120 students in six blocks of flats which each contain a kitchen over-looking the main quadrant.
But others said they would take inspiration from the chart and planned to compete against the youngsters.
Witnesses said ambulances were seen making repeated trips to the halls of residence on consecutive nights during recent weeks
Two flatmates from an adjacent block of ‘houses’, who do not want to be named, said: ‘That’s annoyed me, I thought we were the best house. We need to up our game. We’re going to get five ambulances in five days.
‘We’ve had one ambulance because one of our flatmates fell off a stage and hit her head. We’ve got a chunder chart in the kitchen. I’ve got two.’
They added: ‘We’ve been there once for a house party, there was a DJ. There have been ambulances going back and forth.
‘I went to the house party last Monday night, this guy was topless and he had plasters over his nipples.
‘We’ve had two people move out of our house already because it’s too loud.
‘This block is the best block because the houses are in a much more confined space, so you can’t get away from each other.’
Police have called the ambulance chart ‘mindless’, while the university has been urged to do more to tackle students’ behaviour during freshers week.
The square is occupied by more than 120 students in six blocks of flats which each contain a kitchen over-looking the main quadrant
PC Claire McNaney, the alcohol harm reduction officer at Durham Constabulary, said she was ‘flabbergasted’ to see students appearing to compete over who had been in an ambulance most often.
She told The Telegraph: ‘When we are dealing with serious incidents where ambulances are needed, we often find they are not available. This is really dangerous, it is life-threatening.
‘I am all up for people having a good time – not when they are competing [for ambulances]. It is really mindless and dangerous.’
Sir Anthony Seldon, vice-Chancellor at Buckingham University who has previously criticised universities for ignoring antics in freshers week, said it was time institutions took responsibility.
‘Universities need to accept that they have a pastoral responsibility for their students, to provide a guidance and leadership role,’ he said.
‘This is not about infantilising them, but helping them learn how to be responsible adults. At the moment we are seeing a lack of moral leadership from universities.’
He previously suggested that first-year students should be offered alternative activities to parties and social events where heavy drinking and drug-taking are prevalent.
A University of York spokesman said the students’ union worked closely with clubs and bars to encourage responsible drinking.
He confirmed an investigation was underway and the students involved have been called to a disciplinary meeting.
‘We are deeply concerned by the behaviour highlighted in the report, especially at a time when the NHS and Ambulance Service is under severe pressure.
‘We will continue to work with our Colleges and the students’ union to ensure all our students are reminded of their responsibilities on and off campus.
‘We have a good relationship with partners across the city and initiatives include a river safety campaign and a NightSafe student volunteering project, all designed to alleviate pressure on the emergency services.’