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Rapid Response review
"disappointing"
19.10.09
REVIEWS of Inishowen's
Emergency Rapid Response Vehicle by the ambulance
service chiefs have proved "disappointing" and often
not the best use of available resources, according
to Senator Cecilia Keaveney. The Rapid Response
Vehicle has been providing back-up to the ambulance
service at Carndonagh Hospital under a pilot project
since 2005. However, Senator Keaveney has now been
informed that major changes to the existing system
could be afoot.
"The pilot project has been reviewed at this time
and they continue to evaluate the objective of the
project, which is to enhance performance on response
times and patient outcomes by achieving faster
responses to emergency calls. |
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"However, the Chief
Ambulance Officer, Pauric Sheerin, has told me that
the reviews to date have been quite disappointing in
relation to co-ordinating the available resources so
that everyone, of all medical skill level, doesn't
arrive on the scene at the one time," said the
Moville-based senator.
"This often proves to be a waste of resources while
maybe leaving other areas devoid of cover. Similarly
there can be low levels of calls at times which mean
trained personnel are sitting without being active."
Meanwhile, the HSE has also informed Senator
Keaveney that they are now |
at an advanced stage
talks with staff about having senior paramedics
deployed as 'lone responders'.
"The advanced paramedic will be qualified to do many
pre-hospital interventions that, going by other
locations where they have been used, will
significantly assist the patient outcome.
"Pauric Sheerin is anxious that rural locations in
Inishowen are given the maximum level and quality of
care, while the staff are kept 'sharp' in being
regularly deployed. While they will continue to
review the situation, the intent is to widen the
response types that are made to calls for help.
Calls will be assessed and the appropriate response
will be sent." Senator Keaveney said she hoped the
team would also include a strong role for local
community volunteers who have undergone Red Cross
defibulation training. |
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