Clare Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley has said he has “serious concerns” about ambulance resources and availability in Clare after an incident involving a cardiac arrest at the Cliffs of Moher where it took over an hour for an ambulance to arrive on the scene.
Senator Dooley, raising the issue in the Seanad today, said that Clare is often left without a single ambulance in the county and highlighted further concerns with accessibility for emergency services to the Cliffs of Moher Experience.
He said: “I am extremely concerned that it took over an hour for an ambulance to attend the scene of a cardiac arrest, where a visitor tragically died at the Cliffs of Moher at the weekend.
“Furthermore, at the Cliffs of Moher experience, which has received extensive upgrade works, it can be difficult for emergency services to access the site. For example, on the walking trail, where gates could have been installed to allow for access by emergency services, walls were built instead.
“The Cliffs of Moher 2024 Strategy is in progress, and I am calling for accessibility for emergency services to the Cliffs to be at the forefront of the Strategy. Everything possible must be done to ensure staff and management are able to deal with tragic incidents, which sadly do continue to occur at the Cliffs.
“On an almost daily basis, the fire service in Clare is responding to medical calls because there is no ambulance available. This is extremely concerning, for patients and for emergency services personnel.
“I have contacted the HSE for further information on the incident at the Cliffs at the weekend, asking why there was such a delay in emergency services attending the scene, why no air ambulance was deployed and seeking further information on ambulance resources and availability in the county.”
At the weekend, it’s known that a person collapsed in suspected cardiac arrest while visiting the Cliffs of Moher. The incident occurred about 500m north of O’Brien’s Tower. Gardaí and members of the Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard responded but it’s understood that it took over an hour for an ambulance to reach the scene.
In the past, ambulances have responded to incidents at the Cliffs of Moher and other parts of Clare from outside the county. Ambulances from Co Clare have been sent to other parts of the country often leaving the county with no ambulance cover.