Minister ‘shocked’ by extent of Connemara ambulance crisis

Anton McNulty

THE Minister of Health was said to be ‘shocked’ by some of the details experienced by patients who have to wait for hours for an ambulance in parts of Connemara
A delegation from the North West Connemara Ambulance Group along with local representatives met with the Minister for Health, Simon Harris when he visited University Hospital College Galway last Monday.
The ambulance group have been calling for an ambulance base to be located in the north west Connemara region and outlined what they see as the ‘dire situation’ which currently exists. At present residents living around the Leenane area will have to wait up to three hours for an ambulance to arrive at a patient and this they say is putting lives at risk.
Documented evidence of particular patient cases were presented to Minister Harris outlining the seriousness of the situation and in one circumstance, a stroke victim did not reach a hospital in the time necessary to ensure his recovery.
The Minister also viewed a video link from Leenane resident, Chloe Bolger who recounted her ‘terrifying experience’ while waiting for an ambulance.
In a statement released following the meeting, the group described the meeting with Minister Harris as ‘constructive’ and added that the Minister appeared to be sensitive of the issues and ‘shocked’ at some of the details presented.
Minister Harris, they said was to contact the National Ambulance Service, the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council, The Red Cross and was to reconvene with the Ambulance Group in a few weeks.
One of the other concerns outlined was that despite the existence of Red Cross Ambulances in Clonbur, Oughterard and Leenane, they were no longer used to transport patients to hospitals as a result of the need for a fully qualified paramedics on board.
They also highlighted the increase in population during the summer tourism season and the need for an ambulance service to cater for that increase.
“Consideration must be given to providing an adequate ambulance service for the hundreds of thousands of visitors to the area as well as for the local population. Encouraging them into the area comes with a responsibility for their safety and well being,” the group stated.