Cllr Norma Moriarty says they are causing undue delays in the transfer and treatment of patients.
Speaking at Kerry County Council’s June Meeting the Fianna Fáil Cllr spoke of an incident in Caherciveen recently when an ambulance couldn’t transport a patient to hospital because there was only one paramedic on duty.The incident occurred at a GAA match.
Two GPs and an orthopedic surgeon who were at the match; attended to the patient and offered to travel in the ambulance.
However HSE protocols precluded them from doing so.
Cllr Moriarty’s motion was seconded by Cllr John Joe Culloty who said he has raised issues about the ambulance service on many occasions at the regional health forum. Cllr Johnny Healy Rae says the centralising of the service has caused nothing but difficulties, with people on the ground having to explain to the control centre the difference between Lispole and Listowel.
Cllr Moriarty asked the council to write to the Health Minister Leo Varadkar.