Maura Hopkins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his attendance in respect of an issue I have raised several times in the Chamber regarding the ambulance service in County Roscommon and, in particular, its response times. There have been a number of reports on the issue, such as a HIQA report in 2014 and the Lightfoot report in 2016. Both are very stark in their findings and provide us with evidence that action is required to ensure we have increased resources in the form of increased ambulances and personnel to deliver better response times for those in our region. People there are currently at an increased risk because they are living in an identified blackspot area and are exposed to an increased risk of delayed intervention. All Members know that being able to access a medical centre that can intervene at the earliest possible time will have a positive impact on recovery. All Members know of the FAST campaign highlighting the need for quick action for stroke victims and that being able to get to a centre that can intervene as quickly as possible has a major impact in terms of intervention and recovery. A hugely positive impact for sufferers of thrombolysis across the country is getting people to centres where they need to as quickly as possible.

Residents of west Roscommon and east Mayo have to wait the longest time in the country for an ambulance to arrive. Although there is an ambulance base at Loughglynn, County Roscommon, it is currently being operated by a crew from Roscommon town. I have raised this numerous times and it is not acceptable. We need a functioning Loughgynn ambulance base serviced by a Loughglynn ambulance crew. It is not acceptable that a borrowed ambulance from Roscommon town is catering for the needs of our region. We do not want special treatment but we do want fair treatment and we deserve better. It is not acceptable that no extra resources have been given for this area.From the outside, it appears we are building hubs and a health service for an urban centre. Medical treatments and interventions have become more specialised and centralised, which undoubtedly has resulted in positive outcomes according to the evidence and research. As part of that movement, we must ensure that we are able to get those of our people who live in rural areas to those centres quickly. It is currently very difficult in certain rural areas and I point in particular to west Roscommon and east Mayo. We have also seen the hugely positive impact of the air ambulance service and its ability to improve response times, in particular for critically ill patients. As such, it is essential to ensure that service is operational at night.

I have two questions. First, when will we see increased resources for the identified black spot of west Roscommon? Second, when will we see the air ambulance service operating at night? What is happening? The programme for partnership Government indicates that additional resources will be provided for the national ambulance service. When will they be provided in identified black spot areas? A feasibility study was to be carried out in respect of operating the air ambulance service at night. What is happening within the HSE to progress that and when will it be operational at night?