Probe into claims of paramedic absenteeism

The National Ambulance Service has been asked to examine claims no trained paramedics turned up for work at its base in Limerick City on two nights last week.

A whistleblower had claimed absenteeism within the ambulance service was putting patients lives “at risk”. The whistleblower claimed no trained paramedics arrived at the Limerick City ambulance base for a rostered 12-hour shift on two occasions.

The source said three student paramedics had presented themselves at the city base but could not respond to calls. Intern paramedics cannot go out on the road in an ambulance without a trained paramedic.