Mayo TD calls for accountability and urgent action on Erris ambulance service

A MAYO government TD has called on the HSE to give her 'clear answers, accountability, and urgent action' to ensure that Erris has a reliable ambulance service.

Westport-based Fine Gael TD, Keira Keogh says she will be meeting the HSE in February where she will be raising her concerns regarding the ambulance service in Erris following recent events which highlighted the lack of ambulance cover for the region.

The issue was highlighted by The Mayo News following the sudden death of Stephen Lavelle from Binghamstown who suddenly fell ill on January 10. Family members had to drive him to Mayo University Hospital because there was no ambulance available to transport him.

Mr Lavellle died the following day and at his funeral Mass, local parish priest Fr Kevin Hegarty commented that Mr Lavelle did not receive the medical help which families have 'have a right to expect' and this has added to their suffering and loss.

The tragic death has been met with anger in Erris where there have been calls for a campaign to highlight the lack of ambulance service.

Deputy Keogh expressed her deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr Lavelle and said that until a reliable ambulance service is in place it will result in further loss of life.

“This heartbreaking loss has once again highlighted the ongoing and well-documented crisis in ambulance cover in Erris. This is not a new problem. It is an issue that has existed for years and one that local retained firefighters, GPs and paramedics have consistently warned us about. Tragically, it has now cost us a life,” she said.

Deputy Keogh added that on December 29, she wrote to the Minister for Health and the HSE to outline serious concerns about the lack of available ambulances in the Erris area and the 'unacceptable delays being experienced during emergencies'.

“That correspondence detailed a deeply traumatic incident earlier in December where no ambulance was available for a critically injured young adult, forcing firefighters and local doctors to improvise life-saving responses while waiting for resources to be reactivated. I made it clear at that time that lives were at risk.

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“I will be meeting with the HSE in early February, along with an experienced local firefighter, and once again I will raise these issues directly. I will be seeking clear answers, accountability, and urgent action to ensure that Erris is no longer left without reliable emergency ambulance cover.

“Belmullet and the wider Erris area are remote, with long journey times to Mayo University Hospital, poor road infrastructure, and frequent unavailability of ambulances due to handover delays or redeployment across the wider region. This, unfortunately, creates a perfect storm in emergency situations and leaves communities dangerously exposed.

“The people of Erris deserve the same level of emergency care as any other part of the country. We must ensure lack of ambulance cover ever results in tragedy. I will continue to press the HSE and the Minister for Health, to ensure that meaningful and immediate changes are made so that no family has to endure such a loss again,” she concluded.