Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

For the past 12 years in Roscommon there has been an advanced paramedic on the rapid response vehicle on a 24-7 basis. This was committed to by both the HSE and Fine Gael after the accident and emergency unit in Roscommon was closed in 2011. It was specifically to ensure there would be advanced life support always provided, given the accident and emergency unit was no longer there. At that time, a specific and separate roster filled by advanced paramedics for the rapid response vehicle was put in place and stayed in place until last year. I stress this was part of the improvements committed to for the ambulance service in County Roscommon because of the accident and emergency unit closure. At the time, the HSE promised an enhanced ambulance service.

In 2015, Leo Varadkar, when asked about this, stated a rapid response vehicle crewed by an advanced paramedic providing 24-7 cover in Roscommon was one of the significant improvements made to the ambulance service in Roscommon because of the closure of the accident and emergency unit. He went on to state his intention to drive further improvements in the ambulance service in Roscommon. Instead of that, it was quietly decided last May that a paramedic would fill a place on the advanced paramedic roster. I do believe this was very much done quietly.

I want to make it clear that is not acceptable to the people of Roscommon. The commitment given cannot be rowed back on and the roster of advanced paramedics needs to be restored immediately.

On contacting the National Ambulance Service about downgrading this last year, I was told the rapid response vehicles are resourced by both paramedics and advanced paramedics, that this is not unique in Roscommon and that it happens elsewhere nationally. That misses the point I have already outlined, not to mention the fact people living in Roscommon are further from an emergency Department since 2011.

The latest reply I received from the HSE went a step further in telling me paramedics and advanced paramedics are essentially the same thing, that in recent years paramedics have been upskilled to be able to carry out duties similar to those of advanced paramedics and that there is little difference in their skill set. That is a new one to me. Advanced paramedics are the only staff in the National Ambulance Service that can currently provide advanced life support. Advanced paramedics can administer 23 additional medications for acute emergency medical and traumatic conditions. For example, if a patient is in cardiac arrest, an advanced paramedic can put in an IV line and give enhanced cardiac drugs to increase the patient's chance of survival. Only an advanced paramedic can do this and that is clearly laid out by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council in its documentation.

I want to be clear in saying I am not in any way taking away from the role of paramedics. They are critical to the ambulance service across the State. My point is that there was a commitment made by the Government and HSE to the people of Roscommon and that commitment has been broken. I ask that the roster of advanced paramedics be restored for County Roscommon immediately.

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