Connemara ambulance group to step up their campaign

Anton McNulty

A Connemara ambulance crisis group are planning to step-up their campaign for an adequate service for the region.
The North West Connemara Ambulance Crisis Group are holding public meetings in the region and also plan to hold a protest in Galway city on Wednesday, July 19 as they plan to step up their campaign for an ambulance service for the area.
Last month, the group expressed their disgust at the Minister for Health’s response to a DΡil question by Sinn Féin vice-President, Mary-Lou McDonald on the matter. In his response, Minister Simon Harris responded, ‘As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.’
The group said they are furious at the Minister for his ‘lack of response to the seriousness of the matter’ and vowed to step up their campaign.
The first public meeting took place last Wednesday, June 14, in Leenane Hall with another taking place last night in Clifden and another to take place tonight, Tuesday, June 20 in Ellis Hall, Letterfrack at 8.30pm.
“We need public support in order to achieve an improvement in the service that the National Ambulance Service is providing. We have examples of people waiting for up to three hours for an ambulance. This could be one of your family next time. It’s important that we have a representative from each household at one of the meetings,” the group stated.
The march in Galway City in July will commence at 2pm in Eyre Square to the HSE offices in Shantalla where a letter requesting an adequate ambulance service will be presented to the Executive Officer in charge.
The march will then proceed to University College Hospital, Galway and there will be speakers at both Eyre Square and NUIG. The group has sought the support of the people of Connemara to attend the protest and make their feelings known.