*Comments regarding the golden hour were criticised by Cllr Cillian Murphy. 

SHORT-TERM absences in the Kilrush Ambulance Station were not filled on twenty one occasions last year, new figures have shown while a county councillor has said the ‘golden hour’ is not pertinent to persons living in parts of West and North Clare.

Chief Ambulance Officer with the HSE West, JJ McGowan confirmed that the National Ambulance Service were unable to fill short-term absences in Kilrush on a total of twenty one instances in 2022.

He stated, “In these situations NEOC considered and/or used tactical redeployment methods to cover the shortfall”.

Detail was sought at a sitting of the HSE Regional Forum West by Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) on the NAS’ policy to ensure “adequate ambulance human resources are in place at Kilrush to cover West Clare in the case of short staffing for personal reasons”.

Cllr Murphy also asked, in the case where only one crew member is available for duty, is it operational policy to pull that staff member in to Ennis rather than fill the vacancy in Kilrush”.

McGowan explained, “Operationally, all efforts are made to cover a roster at station level by the Paramedic Supervisor: non-rostered staff are utilised in the first instance for short-notice absence cover; if this is unavailable, a request goes out for off-duty staff. Tactical redeployment is then considered if no off-duty staff are on hand. All decisions for tactical redeployment are made by the NEOC on a case-by-case basis, as they will have an overall view of the status of resources at any one time, nationally”.

Speaking at the Health Forum meeting, Cllr Murphy referred to his three decades running a business as giving an understanding on the last-minute calls that come about with changing staff, “The process for filling immediate vacancies seems robust”.

Comments regarding ‘the golden hour’ made CEO of UL Hospitals Group, Colette Cowan earlier in the meeting were picked up on by the Kilkee representative. “Huge swathes of West Clare are outside of the golden hour and that is getting to the service not to mention getting into the service. When I mention the golden hour to people in West and North Clare they just laugh, it is not pertinent to them”.

Related News

bridget ginnity-2
'Multi-storey Abbey St development could kill centre of town' - warn Save Ennis Town
clare v wexford 27-02-23 conor cleary 1
Cleary named to start & Lynch left out of Limerick team for Munster final
noeleen moran marie mcmahon mary cahalane conor reidy
Mid-West Hospital Campaign meet with HSE CEO
20220718_Council_Lahinch_Leisure_Opening_0020 heather humphreys bill slattery
Bill bidding to win back Council seat as Fine Gael prepare to select ticket in North Clare & Ennis
Latest News
bridget ginnity-2
'Multi-storey Abbey St development could kill centre of town' - warn Save Ennis Town
clare v cork 09-04-23 jamie malone 3
Clare go down fighting to Monaghan & now playing for pride versus Derry
frank gallery basketball-2
Frank Gallery memorial basketball tournament takes place in Inagh
clare v limerick 29-04-23 shane o'donnell darragh o'donovan 2
Limerick are 'worried about' Clare - Tuohy
clare v donegal 20-05-23 colm collins 1
A serious performance that came up just a little short
Premium
clare v donegal 20-05-23 colm collins 1
A serious performance that came up just a little short
20220718_Council_Lahinch_Leisure_Opening_0020 heather humphreys bill slattery
Bill bidding to win back Council seat as Fine Gael prepare to select ticket in North Clare & Ennis
avenue utd v newmarket celtic 31-05-23 7 nnabuike nneji conor mcdaid
Conor caps off second season with Newmarket Celtic by claiming coveted league medal
clare v cork 21-05-23 conor cleary injury 1
Cleary continuing to fight battle to recover from shoulder injury for Munster final
clare v limerick 29-04-23 cathal malone tom morrissey 1
Clare must beat Limerick to be seen as equals and not just contenders

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top
Enable Notifications for the latest news and updates OK No thanks