“The long awaited review of the National Ambulance Service highlights significant problems with ambulance response times in Roscommon, Galway & Mayo” states local Minister, Denis Naughten.
“The report points out that at present just 1 in 4 ambulances reach a life threatening emergency within the target time of 19 minutes, in rural parts of the West of Ireland”.
“These response times are by far the worst in the Country and clearly show that urgent investment is now needed in both ambulances & staff, in the West of Ireland”.
Denis Naughten who pushed for this review & its publication, stated that “while the response time figures prove what I have been pointing out for some years, the positive aspect of the report is that with investment, we can see response times improve by 100%”.
“This report is just a starting point towards improving emergency health services locally, but a welcome one, nonetheless”.
“I will now be working with my colleague Minister Simon Harris to implement this report, particularly in addressing the poor response times in West Roscommon & East Mayo, which is Ireland’s only official ambulance blackspot without a dedicated ambulance service” concluded Denis Naughten.