Sean Fleming T.D., has called for the HSE to totally re-evaluate its ambulance service operating in Co. Laois.
Reports have emerged of a fatal accident in Portlaoise town approximately 1 mile from Portlaoise General Hospital on Friday evening the 31 January and no ambulance was available in Portlaoise or anywhere in the County and an ambulance had to be dispatched from Birr to attend the scene.
I also understand an ambulance might have been dispatched from Carlow and it was a question of which of them got there first. Unfortunately, it was a fatal accident and the person did not survive and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this tragic time.
Finally, no matter what excuse the HSE give as to how the “regional service” it is no use whatever having ambulances in the region when there is no ambulances available in the County. The HSE do not provide a county service anymore but they have now gone to such extremes that they have to send ambulances from Offaly and Carlow to accidents that happen within 1 mile of Portlaoise Hospital.
The HSE must get its act together and common sense must prevail.