Joint Committee on Health to discuss issues facing Ambulance Services with representatives from the HSE and Unions

The Joint Committee on Health will meet on Wednesday December 15th to discuss the issues facing the Ambulance Services.

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 2 of Leinster House at from 9:30 to 12:30.

The meeting will be split into two sessions with representatives from the HSE, SIPTU, the National Ambulance Service and Dublin Fire Brigade due to address the meeting.

The following witnesses are scheduled to attend.

Session One (9:30-11.05)

Ted Kenny, Sector Organiser SIPTU
Peter Ray, President of Irish Ambulance Representative Council (IARC) SIPTU
Greg Lyons, Ambulance Sector President SIPTU
Luke McCann, Dublin Fire Brigade Convenor SIPTU
Geoff McEvoy, Industrial Organiser SIPTU
 

Session Two (11.05-12:30)

Liam Woods, National Director, Acute Operations HSE
Robert Morton, Interim Director, National Ambulance Service HSE
Prof Cathal O’Donnell, Clinical Director, National Ambulance Service HSE
Emily Mahon, Human Resources Manager, National Ambulance Service HSE
Dennis Keeley, Chief Fire Officer Dublin Fire Brigade
Úna Joyce, Senior Executive Officer Dublin Fire Brigade
Martin O’Reilly, District Officer Dublin Fire Brigade 

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Sean Crowe said: “Concerns about ambulance provision have been expressed and must be addressed. Ambulance workers and emergency services workers play a key role within our health service and the 19 months of the pandemic.

 “In 2020, Dublin Fire Brigade processed more than 173,000 emergency fire and ambulance 999 or 112 calls. There were 31,723 mobilisations to fire and rescue calls and 96,000 mobilisations to ambulance calls.”

 “Emergency services expect to face into a challenging winter period with insufficient capacity.”  

 “Ambulance capacity in Ireland has been at a low level historically with demand increasing over the years and since the Covid-19 pandemic. Staff morale and burnout among those working in the Healthcare service is something that has been raised with previous stakeholders who have appeared at this Committee. As the emergence of the Omicron variant has shown us, the pandemic will continue to place un-precedented pressure on health care staff, emergency services and our hospitals.”

 “We look forward to discussing these and other issues with representatives."