Ambulance crews have called for an independent “capacity review” of the service’s equipment and personnel levels over fears chronic gaps in the system are causing needless patient deaths.

Ambulance crews in the Mid-west will meet tonight to discuss what action to take in protest at the reinstatement of a former colleague who pleaded guilty in court to spying on female colleagues.

Car crash victims who are talked out of the wreckage may fare better than those who are cut out, according to research.

Recent public and media comment on the issue of pay and increments in the public sector makes no effort to distinguish between the circumstances and roles of different public sector employees in receipt of these payments.

THE HSE has confirmed an investigation is under way after two incidents this month in which the side doors on two ambulances opened unexpectedly.

A LEADING private ambulance firm has effectively been barred from operating in Ireland after a string of staff competency, Garda vetting and re-training concerns were uncovered.

A LEADING doctors’ union has warned the HSE of safety standard concerns over some private ambulances used to plug health service gaps, just months after a confidential report identified glaring problems in the sector.

A CRUCIAL training programme to upskill paramedics has been delayed in the south and west because of health cut backs.

PEOPLE are dying because of government failure to pass legislation that would allow ambulance crews administer life-saving drugs.