Ambulance response time probe accelerated

An independent investigation into concerns that ambulances are arriving dangerously late to call-outs because of chronic service shortages has been brought forward three months due to the serious issues involved.

Health Minister James Reilly confirmed the move by the Health Information Quality Authority (Hiqa) during a meeting of the Oireachtas health committee yesterday.

Dr Reilly said he believed standards are being maintained in the vital frontline service. However, in light of a series of high-profile incidents in recent weeks, which have seen seriously ill patients left waiting on the sides of roads for help, Dr Reilly said the validity or not of widespread concerns needs to be addressed as soon as possible.