Laois politicians come together to demand ‘urgent reform’ of ambulance services in Laois

Two Laois politicians have called for “urgent reform” of the ambulance services in County Laois.

Speaking in Seanad Éireann, Sinn Féin Senator Maria McCormack cited “critical issues” that she said are “endangering lives” and “placing unsustainable pressure on paramedics.”

Senator McCormack highlighted the fact Laois has just one ambulance station serving the entire county, in comparison to neighbouring Offaly which has three stations despite having a smaller population.

Laois has seen an 8% increase in population since 2016 with a rise of 25% in residents over the age of 65 in that time.

“This is a broken system that puts lives at risk,” Senator McCormack said.

“We have ambulances being dispatched from as far as 100km away, leaving Laois without cover for long periods.

“Meanwhile, emergency crews are being tied up with non-urgent hospital transfers or calls that don’t require life-saving intervention due to flaws in the triage and dispatch system.”

Senator McCormack also shared a personal account of how her own family has been affected by the situation.

“In December 2023, my father suffered a stroke,” the Sinn Féin Senator said.

“It took 45 minutes for an ambulance to reach him. That delay cost him his life.

“I will never forget it, and I will never stop fighting to make sure no other family has to experience what we did.”

Senator McCormack said she is working in collaboration with Independent County Councillor Tommy Mulligan “to drive change” within the service.

Last month at the March meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District, Cllr Mulligan bemoaned the “serious shortcomings” in the county’s ambulance service.

The Independent Councillor said  “inadequacies” of the operational system “need to be brought to light,” and issues “need to be addressed.”

Together, Senator McCormack and Cllr Mulligan are engaging with local communities and frontline staff “to highlight the urgent need for reform.”

They are calling for the following changes and improvements to the Laois Ambulance Service:

• A second ambulance station for Laois;
• The introduction of Intermediate Care Vehicles (ICVs) for non-emergency hospital transfers;
• A reform of the current dispatch system to keep resources in their local area;
• An overhaul of the AMPDS triage system to ensure emergency crews are reserved for true emergencies;
• Investment and support for paramedics working under immense pressure.

Senator McCormack has confirmed that she will have the opportunity to raise the matter directly with the Minister for Health, Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, following the easter break.

“I won’t stop until the ambulance crews in Laois have the systems, resources, and support they need — and until the people of Laois can trust that help will come quickly when they need it most,” Senator McCormack said.

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