Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Health Minister has agreed to meet with a committee in Connemara to discuss what’s being described as an ‘ambulance crisis’ in the region.
The Connemara Ambulance Crisis Steering Group says Leo Varadkar will host a meeting in Dublin within the next two months.
The Leenane-based group will raise a number of issues with the Minister – the first being the long waiting times for ambulances, which they say often reach up to three hours.
It’s also expected that the Minister will hear of the alleged failure of upgrades at Tuam and Mulranny ambulance bases to improve the situation in Connemara.
He’ll also be questioned on continuing delays by the National Ambulance Service to provide statistics on response times for ambulances in the region.
Previously, the group raised the funds for a Red Cross ambulance, and it was hoped that it would support the establishment of a North Connemara rapid response unit with two paramedics.
However, the National Ambulance Service says it cannot sanction the use of such an ambulance, as it would not be subject to the services standard staff and equippment criteria.
Patricia Keane of the Connemara Ambulance Crisis Committee says all they want from Leo Varadkar is the delivery of an adequate service.
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