We use Google Analytics to see which pages are read and how the site is used, so we know what to improve. This only runs if you accept. See our privacy notice for details.

Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Roscommon rapid response vehicle

Summary

Claire Kerrane said the advanced paramedic had been quietly removed from the Roscommon rapid response vehicle, undermining the replacement promised after A&E closure. The Taoiseach said he would follow up with the Health Minister and ask him to reply.

The Taoiseach will remember the closure of the accident and emergency unit in Roscommon hospital in 2011. In its place, we were promised a rapid response vehicle with an advanced paramedic on board 24-7, not least due to the distance people in Roscommon would be from the nearest accident and emergency department. That has been in place for the past 13 years. In recent months it has been quietly removed and it is now not the case that we have an advanced paramedic in the response vehicle on a 24-7 basis. I have been raising this in recent months with the National Ambulance Service to no avail. It has gone as far as to tell me that a paramedic is the same as an advanced paramedic, which is not the case. I ask the Taoiseach to keep his commitment to the people of Roscommon. We need an advanced paramedic on board the rapid response vehicle on a 24-7 basis. It is very important.

Comment on this
Simon Harris The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I thank Deputy Kerrane for raising the importance of the advanced paramedic and the rapid response vehicle. I will follow up directly with the Minister for Health and ask him to revert to her.

Comment on this