Taoiseach to launch Jim Higgins European campaign in Castlebar

Calleary calls on Taoiseach to ‘step up to the mark’ regarding ambulance services


‘Major gaps in emergency services’ say Fianna FΡil

Áine Ryan

MAYO’S Fianna FΡil DΡil Deputy Dara Calleary has strongly criticised the HSE for failing ‘to recognise the severe ambulance shortage’ in the county and, moreover, the fact that no Mayo Government TD attended last week’s Oireachtas Health Committee hearing on ambulance services.
He has now called on Taoiseach Enda Kenny ‘to step up to the mark’ to ensure that his constituents are serviced adequately in emergency circumstance.
During last week’s Oireachtas committe session, Mr Calleary questioned HSE management ‘about the major gaps in resources for emergency services’ in the county and ‘outlined a number of cases where patients in need of emergency medical care were waiting far too long for an ambulance to reach them’.
Speaking afterwards he said it was ‘clear that the HSE has no understanding of the impact in Co Mayo of a new policy to reduce direct ambulance cover in the county’.
“The new policy to send ambulances from any county to another county has resulted in major gaps in the emergency service in Co Mayo. Patients are being forced to wait an unacceptable length of time for an ambulance to reach them, which could be putting their lives at risk,” said Mr Calleary. He said that it was patently obvious to the citizens of the county that there was a need for ‘extra resources for ambulance services’.
“The Taoiseach needs to step up to the mark here. This will not cost a fortune – a relatively small investment by HSE will make an enormous difference to our local ambulance services and will radically improve patient outcomes,” Dara Calleary said.
“I am now calling on the Government to start taking an interest in this and immediately intervene. Lives are being put at risk unless we soon see a boost in resources for ambulance services in Co Mayo,” he added.
Responding to a query by The Mayo News, a HSE spokeswoman said that the practise to send ambulances across borders to counties in the area was not, as suggested by Mr Calleary, a new development.  
The HSE response stated: “Emergency ambulances from all stations across the West are used in a dynamic manner to maintain emergency cover and respond to emergency calls, as required.  This is not a new policy; at all times the nearest available ambulance is despatched. All ambulance stations across the county and adjacent counties support each other, and the nearest available ambulance responds to an emergency call, regardless of where it is based. This ensures the best response to all patients and ensures an ambulance is despatched when an emergency call is received.”