Mothers to meet health bodies on ambulance issue

As the second protest in a week over ambulance services in East Cork takes place, it has emerged that the HSE, health safety watchdog Hiqa, and the National Ambulance Service are to meet local people to discuss their fears.

A protest over ambulance cover in East Cork takes place outside Midleton Courthouse today. It is the second protest in five days and comes 10 days after a toddler who fell from a first- floor window could not get an ambulance to his home.

Two-year-old Vakaris Martinaitis had to be driven to hospital by a neighbour and died two days later.

A group of mothers who helped organise the protests will meet representatives from the HSE, Hiqa, and the NAS. They will be joined by Tara O’Connell, who has campaigned to improve ambulance services in the Youghal area. It is hoped this meeting may lead to the establishment of a forum where concerns and incidents can be discussed.

Junior minister and East Cork TD Seán Sherlock said: “There is no formal engagement with the community at present and such a forum is needed.”

Mother-of-two Sabrina Long from Cloyne, who organised the protests with Alisha Kelly, Emma Hoey, and Debbie Collins, said they have received huge support from the local community.

“We are hearing horror stories about people waiting up to 25 minutes for an ambulance when they have a seriously injured child,” said Ms Long. “There is a huge fear out there at present as the ambulance services do not have the faith of the community.”

It emerged yesterday that it will take two months for the NAS to complete a review of the Vakaris Martinaitis incident.

Speaking to the Evening Echo yesterday, Kevin Hennessy, who made the 999 call, said: “I didn’t know at the time that the child had fallen from the window. But what do you have to do or say to prove a child is hurt. I told them it was serious.”

Ms Long criticised the HSE for suggesting that Mr Hennessey could be blamed for not making it clear Vakaris had fallen from a top window.

Time target

Not even two thirds of patients who needed an ambulance while suffering a heart attack were sent one in under 19 minutes last year, according to latest HSE figures.

This falls well short of the 85% target set by health watchdog Hiqa.

The HSE said 64.9% of people requiring an ambulance because of cardiac or respiratory arrest were responded to in less than 18 minutes and 59 seconds. Compliance so far this year stands at around 70%.

The HSE has defended its performance, stating that it is playing catch-up and “it would take several years of significant investment to bring Ireland’s services into line with the UK or Northern Ireland”.