Call to restore vital ambulance service on 24/7 basis to be raised with Health Minister
Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos
A call tto restore a vital ambulance service on a 24/7 basis in County Roscommon is to be raised with the Health Minister in the Dáil this morning, Wednesday.
Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane will highlight the need for the full-time restoration of the rapid response vehicle with Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.
The issue will be raised this morning as part of a Topical Issues debate with the Minister.
Deputy Kerrane has launched an online petition highlighting that the vehicle is being parked up once a week, which she says can be the difference between life and death for the people of Roscommon.
The petition, addressed to the Director of the National Ambulance Service, is calling for its immediate restoration on a 24/7 basis.
Deputy Kerrane said: “On the closure of the A&E in Roscommon back in 2011, we were promised a Rapid Response Vehicle (RRV) staffed 24/7 by an advanced paramedic given our distance to the next nearest A&E.
“In recent months, a decision was made by the National Ambulance Service (NAS) to cease paying overtime on the RRV on Monday nights. This means the RRV is parked up on a Monday night from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. and is unavailable in an emergency situation.
“The RRV and the presence of an advanced paramedic can be the difference between life and death. There is no cost saving worthwhile in that,” said Deputy Kerrane.
“I am asking the people of Roscommon to support my call for the restoration of the RRV to Roscommon Town for our county.
“I appreciate not everyone has access to an online petition so if you are unable to sign you can reach out to my constituency office on 0949861688 and I will add your name to the petition.
“We need to do this one together and so, I hope you will back this campaign,” concluded Deputy Kerrane.
