CLARE PEOPLE
Tuesday 22nd February 2011
Emergency services appalling, says Lynch
Claire Gallagher
Kilrush town councilor Ian Lynch (FG) has accused the Department of Health and the HSE of discriminating against the residents of the west coast of Ireland.
The claim comes as Cllr Lynch proposed that the “Minster for health and the HSE recognize the hard work and essential service provided by local voluntary public access defibrillator organizations in Kilrush and throughout County Clare”.
He has also called for a dedicated Cardiac First Response (CFR) service that is linked to the HSE, to be operated in the mid west region.
“A joined up approach that uses these voluntary organizations in conjunction with the ambulance services would reduce the number of fatalities from cardiac arrest,” he maintained.
“The service or lack of accessibility to emergency service provided to the communities of the west coast of Ireland by the HSE is appalling”.
“If the Department of Health and the HSE are serious about their roles, in providing a better medical service, commitment is needed as a matter of urgency to roll out a cardiac arrest first response programme throughout the country.” He said.
This programme would run alongside the already stretched ambulance service providing a community-based response to cardiac emergencies.
A linked CFR programme would utilize the existing established community programs by providing a link between them and a 999 emergency call. This link will ensure that local volunteers will get immediate notification and can be on the scene within the 10 minutes required to administer life-saving treatment, using a defibrillator if necessary, he explained. “This service does not replace the medical services provided by the ambulance nor does it put jobs at risk. This programme complements the ambulance service and ensures life-saving treatment can be administered promptly whilst waiting for the ambulance services”.