Tallaght goes without ambulance service for 17 hours – Crowe

Dublin South West TD Seán Crowe has said that the HSE cuts to ambulance services in Tallaght and its hinterland are starting to have impact locally. Deputy Crowe said that an ambulance breakdown on Monday left the area without an ambulance for 17 hours and said that the problem was compounded by the fact that the nearest station in St James had no spare vehicle.  An ambulance was eventually sourced in Dunshaughlin, County Meath.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“On Monday Tallaght and its vast hinterland was left without a HSE ambulance for five hours after a breakdown and, combined with the decision to remove the traditional HSE ambulance roster shift cover, the area was left vulnerable for approximately 17 hours.

“The crew were instructed to go to the nearest station in James Street but no spare vehicle was available. There was no spare vehicles in Swords or Loughlinstown and apparently the nearest one was in Dunshaughlin, County Meath.

“During this tour of ambulance stations, the Tallaght area would have had a reduced safety capability and had to rely on emergency coverage from other parts of the city.

“Also, as a result of HSE cuts, ambulance staff are not being covered if off sick or on annual leave or holidays and this is also putting additional pressure on the limited service.

“Tallaght and its hinterland would appear to have been lucky that no major incident occurred during the 17 hours without its traditional ambulance cover.

“How would the area have fared if there was a county wide emergency or incident?

“I am extremely concerned after this breakdown incident, particularly about the availability of vehicles and safety equipment in areas like Tallaght.  And I reiterate my view that the Government and HSE cuts are gambling with safety and with people’s lives.”