“SEND FIREMEN ON 999 CALLS INSTEAD OF AMBULANCES,” bellowed a Daily Mail headline.

It was in reference to NHS England chief executive Sir David Nicholson’s recent Commons health select committee appearance in which he said he had given thought to the idea of the fire service “supporting paramedics”.

A very boring quote came next, followed by a section in reported speech: “[Sir David] said it was unlikely that fire and ambulance services could merge but said firemen could be first on the scene in medical emergencies.”

End Game presumes NHS 111 has referred too many cats stuck up trees to accident and emergency departments and NHS England is determined to do something about it.

Otherwise the story doesn’t make any sense at all.