Ambulance call-out failings ‘are putting patients at risk’

PATIENTS’ lives are being put at risk because failings in ambulance dispatching in Dublin are resulting in ambulances from further away being dispatched when nearer ones are available, a damning Hiqa report has said.

The report from the health watchdog found that a detailed plan for ambulance services in the greater Dublin area does not exist – despite previous attempts from Hiqa to have one established.

This is resulting in obvious delays at times – which Hiqa says could be life-threatening.

There are two organisations that operate ambulances in this country: the National Ambulance Service (NAS), which is nationwide, and the Dublin Fire Brigade, which operates in the greater Dublin area.

At the moment, if callers ring 999 for an ambulance in Dublin, they get through to the Dublin Fire Brigade, while if they ring from outside Dublin they get through to the National Ambulance Service.

However, overlaps can occur in Dublin and problems are arising that have been highlighted by Hiqa where Dublin Fire Brigade Ambulances are being dispatched even though NAS units are available closer to hand – which can potentially have very serious consequences in emergency situations.

There are also industrial relations issues at play which further complicate matters.

A key finding of the Hiqa review relates specifically to the provision of ambulance services in Dublin, where Hiqa found a high level of risk associated with ambulance capacity, call-handling and dispatch.

Seán Egan, Hiqa’s acting head of healthcare regulation, said: ‘While lines of communication, formal governance arrangements and working relationship at senior management level within the HSE and Dublin City Council were much improved, a detailed plan for the delivery of emergency ambulance services in the greater Dublin area still does not exist,’ he said. ‘The status quo puts patients at risk and cannot be allowed to continue.’

Damien McCallion, HSE national director for the NAS and Emergency Management, said: ‘NAS are currently in their second year of implementing a five-year strategic plan which was developed with a range of stakeholders including NAS and Dublin Fire Brigade.’