AMBULANCE workers in Cairns are seething over a "disturbing" hoax phone call this morning.

Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman Andrew Christie said a Cairns woman rang 000 around midnight and screamed that her baby had fallen off the bed and stopped breathing.

The woman received CPR advice from the Cairns ambulance centre operator and gave the impression she was following instructions, Mr Christie said.

He said the woman hung up twice but continued the instructions when the ambulance operator called her back.

 The hoax was only discovered when two ambulance vehicles arrived at the woman's White Rock residence.

Two intensive care paramedics were on their way from Cairns Base Hospital but were called back after the hoax was uncovered.

The matter was referred to police and the woman could now face criminal charges.

It is not known if the call was intended as an April Fool's prank.

Mr Christie said hoax calls to emergency services were not  uncommon but said this morning's call was "particularly insidious".

"This type of call is disturbing to everyone involved,  particularly when you've got a baby involved and to find out it's a hoax later on is really distressing for the call-taker," he told  said.

"They put that effort, professionalism and calm manner into the call and it's an emotional toll that they take."

Mr Christie said hoax calls potentially put lives in danger.

"They are pulling valuable resources away from people who might  need it," he said.

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