Mr. Robert Morton:

I completely agree with the Senator. We accept that we do not have enough resources pretty much anywhere, but particularly in large rural areas. That is why we are expanding our alternative care pathways to try to provide opportunities for people to stay closer to home rather than undertaking long treks. For example, and as the Senator knows better than I do, it is quite a significant trek for a person to travel from Killybegs up to Letterkenny or from Killybegs down to Sligo for acute care. We have based four community paramedics in Donegal town. That is having a big impact, particularly on the older population. It is providing more opportunities for things like catheter changes, for example, which means that patients do not have to be brought all the way to hospital. That is keeping the ambulance more available in the community. Ultimately, there is a significant gap between demand and capacity.

From a good perspective in Donegal, part of our service plan this year is the expansion of our helicopter emergency medical service in the west and north west. The use of helicopters will be a specific feature in how we respond and meet the needs of patients in highly rural areas. We accept that we need more of everything everywhere, though.