May 2004

Ambulance service in Inishowen must be reviewed

Fine Gael Councillor Martin Farren is calling for immediate upgrading of the Ambulance Service in Inishowen. Mr Farren said that it was completely unacceptable that there was only one ambulance on duty in the peninsula at any one time. He added that he feels this is bordering on the reckless, pointing out that if the ambulance had gone to Letterkenny with a patient there is no ambulance available for any emergency that may arise.

"Lives are at risk and it is scandalous that this should be allowed to happen here in Inishowen. Furthermore, it has come to my attention the the ambulance crew is stood down after midnight and the crew are only on call and have to be mustered up in the event of an emergency. In my opinion the ambulance crew is overstretched, rushing to Letterkenny and racing back to collect other patients. This is not a satisfactory situation and they need to be supported in the important work that they do, but it appears that the Health Board have targeted the ambulance service for cutbacks. In my opinion, this would be a cutback that would put lives at risk." Mr Farren went on to call for North Western Health Board to immediately review the ambulance cover arrangements for Inishowen.

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