Councillors want answers on ambulance service cuts
Cork County Council is to ask HSE management how it arrived at a decision that would have left “black spots” without ambulance service across West Cork.
Though plans announced in September to reduce emergency ambulance cover in West Cork and Kerry have since been reversed, councillors in the region are now asking how the plans came about in the first place considering that ambulance services in the region are already severely stretched.
On 13 September, following a decision by the HSE to cut funding, the National Ambulance Service (NAS) announced to staff that roster changes would mean less cover for the Cork and Kerry region.
The changes were initially set to come into effect on 23 September but were scrapped following intervention from the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly.
Speaking at Monday’s full meeting of Cork County Council, Fianna Fáil Councillor Gillian Coughlan asked that the council write to the HSE looking for justification for the original plan to cut services.
She also wanted Cork County Council to ask why there are no emergency cars on the road.
Cllr Coughlan explained: “I still think we need a justification from the HSE management as to how this decision was arrived at.”
She continued: “This decision would have left black spots right across West Cork with no cover.
“In West Cork, it is only an ambulance service. We used to have official emergency ambulance cars. They’re no longer in service as far as I’m aware,” she added.
While Cllr Coughlan said she appreciated Minister Stephen Donnelly’s speedy intervention, she said she is still “very disappointed and very curious” as to how and why HSE management came to the decision.
“If they came to it once, they’ll come to it again,” she said.
Also, Independent Councillor Danny Collins said he feels the reversal of the decision is “only a plaster over a big, massive cut”.
Cllr Collins continued: “I’ve spoken to paramedics all over West Cork and as everyone knows, they’re overstretched.
“They’re looking for more ambulances and more staff,” said Cllr Collins during the Cork County Council meeting on Monday.
Meanwhile, speaking in Dáil Éireann last month following the Health Minister’s intervention, Sinn Féin TD for Cork South Central, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire raised the issue with an Taoiseach Simon Harris.
“Fortunately, those latest cuts have been shelved, but there is no doubt the service is already under savage pressure,” he said.
“A week and a half ago a player who suffered a serious injury was waiting 85 minutes for an ambulance at Páirc Uí Rinn.
“It is unfortunately far from the first instance. I can recall an instance in May very similar to that,” added Teachta Ó Laoghaire.
A statement released by the HSE two days after Mr Ó Laoghaire’s comments confirmed the HSE is aware of concerns raised locally, and that existing NAS services and will continue to be provided from all existing ambulance stations.
“The HSE wishes to clarify that there is no reduction of NAS services currently or planned in the HSE South West region. Rather, the HSE NAS has deployed additional staff over the last 12 months,” the statement said.
The HSE also confirmed additional paramedic interns are expected to join the NAS in the South West region in December once they successfully complete their final exams.