Rapid response ambulance servicein Tipperary and Clare may be ended

There are fears the provision of essential rapid response emergency ambulance services could be discontinued in Tipperary and Clare.

The National Ambulance Service has confirmed it is reviewing the provision of rapid response vehicles in both counties.

The vehicles, staffed by advanced paramedic staff, were introduced in the mid-west in 2009 as part of a HSE reconfiguration of hospital services which saw the A&E departments at Nenagh and Ennis hospitals close at night. Advanced paramedics are specially trained in advanced life support skills and can administer drugs and treatments which other paramedics can’t.