Recruitment campaign needed to strengthen ambulance service – Ó Muirí

A targeted recruitment campaign is needed to increase staffing levels in the Ambulance Service to meet rapidly rising demand across the country, Fine Gael TD Naoise Ó Muirí has said.

“Following a parliamentary question I raised with the Minister for Health last week, it was revealed that current staffing capacity is far below what is required to adequately meet demand.

“In 2023, the gap between capacity and demand stood at almost 21%. This year that gap has widened to 48%.

“With demand increasing by 25% since 2019, it is unacceptable that staffing capacity has not increased to meet this demand.”

Deputy Ó Muirí highlighted a recent incident in his own constituency of Dublin Bay North.

“I recently heard from a resident that an unconscious man was left on a wet pavement in severe weather for two hours because no ambulance was available.

“Rapid clinical care in the first 60 minutes of a medical emergency can be critical to the outcome for a patient, and this person was left waiting far beyond that window.”

Deputy Ó Muirí said: “The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has confirmed that it will take several years of sustained consistent investment to reduce the widening gap between rapidly rising demand and the capacity available to respond to that demand.

“A targeted recruitment campaign, including highlighting paramedicine as a career to students, is needed to ensure the NAS is given every opportunity to ensure it meets the demand required over the coming years.

“We cannot afford to wait any longer to invest in vital frontline care. Ireland is lagging behind neighbouring countries on a per capita basis, and patients are suffering as a result”, concluded Deputy Ó Muirí.