THE cancellation of a vital rapid link in the care of critically ill people could cost lives, it has been claimed. It has been confirmed that the Rapid Response paramedic car, which operates as an emergency first response in advance of the ambulance service arriving, is to be axed from next week. Deputy Willie O’Dea, who claimed he was confidentially told by sources close to the service that it is being cut, told the Limerick Post, “this could cost lives.”
He has tabled a Dail question for the minister.
The Rapid Response car gives 24/7 cover and is deployed when an ambulance may take longer than the ideal response time of 7 minutes 59 seconds.
It is reported that the service will be withdrawn from from March 19.
Deputy O’Dea said: “The rapid response car provides advanced life support cover for critically ill people of the wider Limerick area
“I have tabled a Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Health outlining the seriousness of the situation and the potential loss of life as a result of the withdrawal of this service”,
The HSE said that the rapid response vehicle (RRV) was put in place on a trial basis for 25 weeks as part of a process to devise better arrangements for patients.
“When this trial ends next week, advanced life support delivery will change from the solo response in the RRV to delivery through the ambulance network”.
However, the secretary of the union representing paramedics and ambulance personnel, NASRA’s Tony Gregg, said that he was not aware of any plan to withdraw the service.
“If the car is in situ withdrawing the service is penny pinching. It’s a disgrace if this happens. “The Rapid Response cars have their specific uses and depending on location and the circumstances, they can be the best chance of getting first response services in an emergency”.
He said that if “this service is taken out of the the system you have to replace it with something. Taking it away is a blow to the community”.
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