Fury as free ambulance service cancelled

FREE transport services for patients without medical cards in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon have been withdrawn by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Yesterday, the HSE confirmed it would end its long-standing practice of providing free ambulance transport for all patients, blaming the decision on budgetary constraints.

It also blamed the decision on high demand for free transport, which it said was starting to threaten more urgent ambulance operations.&&