Stories of staff going "above and beyond" for patients included buying someone a TV for their room in a care home where they were living, he added. Ambulance crews also bought food for people ...

An ambulance was on its way. "Tell them she's on Eliquis!" said Martin, a nurse who lived an hour's drive away in Winston-Salem. She knew the blood thinner could lead to life-threatening blood loss.

Ask any Japanese today what an ambulance siren sounds like, and "pee-po" would be their answer. Until 50 years ago, however, all ambulances, fire engines and police cars in Japan made the same ...