Ambulance went to the wrong location
The Co Clare family had requested the HSE to investigate and explain the length of time it took an ambulance to respond to an emergency call.
Councillor Tony Mulqueen has asked the HSE to introduce GPS or Satellite Navigation on all ambulances to prevent inordinate delays following confirmation from the authority these devices are not used.
He also stressed efforts should be made by An Post or the relevant agency to fast-track the introduction of a postal code system.
According to the deceased’s daughter, she made a 999 call on Friday, May 13 at 9.10pm and gave directions to ambulance control stating the patient lived on the main Ennis to Lahinch road, about two miles past Kilnamona Stores.
The daughter said she rang again at 9.25pm and another family member rang 999 at about 9.40pm and stayed on the phone until the ambulance arrived at about 9.50pm.
She said the ambulance personnel were fantastic when they arrived and did everything possible to resuscitate her father, and stressed that the family were not claiming her father would still be alive if the ambulance had arrived sooner.
The HSE said it received a 999 call at 9.06pm.
After Ambulance Control took the address, the controller contacted the Ennis Ambulance Station but gave directions to go past Kilnamona School instead of Kilnamona Stores.
As they came towards the school they met Kevin Leyden, who gave them directions, but as they drove off they received a call from Ambulance Control informing them they had received another call from the relatives stating they had passed the house.
The ambulance that passed the house was the Ennistymon Ambulance on its way to Ennis.
Having heard the radio message, the HSE stated the Ennistymon Ambulance crew then informed control they would turn and go to the house. They arrived at the house at 9.40pm and the Ennis ambulance arrived shortly afterward.
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