FERMANAGH patients have been urged not to blame ambulance staff for any delays they may experience waiting on help, as these hold ups are being caused by a dysfunctional health system.
That was the message from Fermanagh South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew after it emerged one injured patient had to make their own way to hospital after being told it would take more than an hour for an ambulance.
“In a medical emergency the ambulance is the first responder and it’s vitally important response times are quick, that people are able to get through, and the service is able to cope with the demand,” said Ms Gildernew, stressing delays were not the fault of the hard-working staff and that we had a fabulous new ambulance station in Enniskillen.
“We know ambulance service personnel can be tied up if they’re blockages in the hospital. That can take up precious ambulance service time. The entire system has to work, and if there is one link in that system that is broken it has a negative impact on all other aspects.”
Ms Gildernew, who is due to meet with representatives from the NIAS to discuss the issue, added: “I’ve worked with the ambulance services, I’m a Community First Responder.
“I know how hard the ambulance personnel work, and the care they have for people, and how important their role is. I hope they’re not under too much pressure trying to deliver the service.”
Cllr Barry Doherty, who had been made aware of the delay experienced by the injured patient recently, said: “If an ambulance is away with someone else, and we did have a serious incident, we’re not covered.
“What happens if there is a major incident in Enniskillen. A fire, a crash, a chemical spill. How long exactly do we have to wait before services are here?”
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) have said, with regard the injured patient, on the evening in question the person who had called the ambulance had been advised it was their decision, based on the patient’s condition and their ability to transport them, whether to take the patient to hospital. The caller chose to take the patient to hospital themselves.
The NIAS spokesman told the Herald there has been no reduction in the number of vehicles serving the Fermanagh area.
State of the coverage in Fermanagh
THE NIAS have said there has been no reduction in the number of ambulances covering the Enniskillen area, and have outlined to the Herald the level of local coverage.
“Enniskillen operates three 24/7, 365 days paramedic crews. Two Rapid Response Vehicle (RRV) paramedic crews, one RRV on a 12 hour shift from 08.00-20.00 and a second RRV from 14.00 to 12.00,” said an NIAS spokesman. “Therefore during the peak of the day, three A&E and 2 RRVs operate.”
In total, there are three accident and emergency day crews, three A&E night crews, two RRV paramedics until midnight, one paramedic station officer during the day, two single crew ICV vehicles for outpatient movements, two ICV crews for discharges, renal patients and hospital transfers, and one ICV crew doctors support vehicle.
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere