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Lives put at risk in Buncrana
09.04.10
‘It is totally
unacceptable that this service has been taken away’
by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen
Independent
The continued absence of a Rapid Response Vehicle in
Buncrana could prove the difference between life and
death for a stricken individual in urgent need of
medical attention.
It is understood that the RRV, stationed in Buncrana
to deal with emergencies, has been withdrawn for the
third time in the space of two years.
Concerned local representative Joe Doherty tabled a
motion demanding answers from the HSE at yesterday’s
monthly meeting of Buncrana Town Council.
“It is totally unacceptable that this vital service
appears to have been taken away from Buncrana again.
I am very adamant that it be reinstated
immediately,” he said. |
“In a case of an
emergency an RRV could be on the scene in 5 minutes
while an ambulance coming from Carn, Derry or
Letterkenny could take more than 30 minutes. That
time difference could be crucial. If it saves one
life then it is worth it.”
A Rapid Response Vehicle, a production car, which is
provided and manned by emergency personnel, enables
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crew (often a lone
responder) to bring their equipment quickly to the
scene of an incident. It may carry most of the same
equipment as a full size ambulance, although it is
likely to be limited in its capacity to transport
patients.
Such vehicles can also provide first aid assistance
for patients who do not require hospital treatment,
and can be treated at the scene by the crew on site,
which saves conventional ambulances for other, more
urgent jobs.
Councillor Doherty said he is making it one of his
top priorities not only to have the RRV
up-and-running but also to secure a fully manned
ambulance service for the town.
“Buncrana not only needs an ambulance service,
Buncrana deserves an ambulance service. We are the
biggest town in Inishowen and the second biggest in
the whole county yet we are left in a medical black
spot,” he said. |
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“I think it is time for
the HSE to look into the entire ambulance service
for Donegal again. I am fully committed to making
progress on this important issue.”
In a statement released to the Inishowen Independent
on Wednesday the HSE said the North West Ambulance
Service has commenced a pilot Advanced Paramedic
Deployment model, similar to the Rapid Response
pilot model.
“This model of deployment of Advanced Paramedics is
already in place in other areas and has been proven
to be effective, both from a response perspective
and ensuring that the advanced interventions which
can be performed, will have a very positive impact
on patient outcomes thereafter,” they said.
“The Advanced Paramedic Practitioner level, is as
the title suggests, a higher clinical qualification
and the introduction of these practitioners requires
deployment protocols which will yield maximum
benefits for patients in the pre-hospital care
setting.” |
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