Fears for patient safety after ambulances break down in Mid-West

Concern has been expressed about the safety and reliability of HSE ambulances in the Mid-West following a series of incidents in recent months.

The fire service had to be called at the weekend after smoke was seen coming from the engine of an amb-ulance transferring a patient to hospital in Limerick.

The incident occurred on the M18 between Ennis and Limerick. A second ambulance crew transferred the patient to Limerick and no one was injured.

Last month, an ambulance transferring a seriously ill baby from Limerick to Dublin broke down on the M7 near Portlaoise. In November, an ambulance responding to a call in north Clare broke down. A second vehicle had to be sent from Ennis, over 25km away.

One paramedic said: “People are concerned because there appears to be no one taking responsibility and getting this issue sorted. We don’t know when the next ambulance is going to break down on us and it could happen when we are rushing a patient to hospital. We are very concerned for patient safety but also for our own safety.”

The HSE confirmed that on Jan 19 an ambulance carrying a patient to Crumlin broke down on the M7, north of Portlaoise. A replacement ambulance was dispatched from Portlaoise to complete the journey.

A paramedic said: “We do carry out checks before we start out shifts but we’re not mechanics. Ambulances do break down but the issue here is that its same problem happening over and over again.”

The HSE has confirmed the National Ambulance Service “has notified the manufacturers in relation to an issue that has recurred”.

HSE Health Forum representative in the Mid-West Cllr Brian Meaney said: “If there is an issue with a certain type or model of ambulance this must be resolved as soon as possible. Ambulances must be replaced if necessary no matter what the financial constraints are and there is an issue with resources.

“I would call on the minister to make available whatever resources necessary to ensure we have a reliable fleet of ambulances for patients and paramedics.”