Ambulance service staff in Tipperary are ‘at a crisis point’
Cllr Jim Ryan said recent events in Thurles had no ambulance cover
Councillor Jim Ryan has said the ambulance service in Thurles is at a “crisis point.”
At this week’s sitting of Thurles-Templemore Municipal District Council, he said he has been asked by crews to raise the issue and ask the council for help.
Cllr Ryan asked the district council to write to the HSE about the matter.
“Paramedics and drivers have had enough,” said Cllr Ryan. Cllr Ryan called it “alarming” that there was no ambulance was available for recent events in Thurles because the crews were unavailable.
He said they have “fantastic” bases in Thurles and Roscrea but are often called away to other counties.
He said a shortage of staff and lack of recruitment has put crews “under severe pressure,” and they are asking for the council’s help.
Cllr Kay Cahill Skehan supported Cllr Ryan’s call saying the stories she has heard are “scary.”
“It is very disturbing and needs to be addressed,” said Ms Cahill-Skehan.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Michael Smith said they all agree and the district is happy to write to the HSE.
But, he wanted to point out that the council is not responsible for the ambulance service. Their responsibility in emergency services is limited to the fire service.
700km a shift
In 2022, the Tipperary Star reported that the ambulance service in Tipperary does not just cover the Premier County. The ambulances in the county are part of a region and are controlled by a central hub in Donegal.
The centre in Donegal assesses the condition of the caller and another hub in Tallaght sends the closest ambulance.
In theory, this would mean within a county. But in reality, the closest ambulance for a caller in Waterford could be Tipperary.
This paper spoke to a paramedic in Thurles under the condition of anonymity who told us that they can travel up to 700km in a shift.