Ambulance response times could be impacted and patients put at risk due to the removal of relief shifts, that’s according to a number of Paramedics who have hit out at the move by the HSE.
One Ambulance member said the safety of Irish citizens must come first, and these proposed changes must be reconsidered to avoid putting lives in jeopardy
Crew members say there was no prior communication and they only became aware of the changes earlier today.
Concerned Paramedics say the removal of relief shifts will have a devastating effect on the availability of already over stretched ambulance services across Ireland.
Communities will now face days without any ambulance cover, leaving them vulnerable in emergency situations.
Cork North Central TD Mick Barry said it’s shocking to hear that National Ambulance Service management have issued correspondence announcing plans to reduce overtime in the Cork/Kerry region. Only last week we learned that 77 high priority callouts took more than an hour in the Cork area in the first six months this year said Barry.
The HSE has been contacted for comment
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