WestCorkSOS-HSE Meeting: Scheduled for 12.12.2011

The following correspondence was received from Ger Reaney, Area Manager, HSE Cork, on 25th November in response to an invitation from the WestCorkSOS chairperson. We will update this page with the content and outcome of the WestCorkSOS – HSE meeting scheduled for 12.12.2011.

 
Dear Frank,

I have received your email, dated 14 November 2011 23:38, in relation to a public meeting tomorrow in Skibereen, November 26th, regarding public concerns over the ambulance service. Unfortunately I will not be in a position to attend and please accept my apologies for the delay in responding.

I am aware of the concerns of local people in relation to the future model of ambulance service provision in West Cork. These concerns are probably exacerbated by people not having access to all of the facts and hopefully some of the point covered in this letter may allay people’s fears a little

Since we met in August, management in the National Ambulance Service have continued to engage with ambulance staff, with public representatives, with local HSE management and with frontline health professionals across Cork County.

Following this process of engagement and continuing analysis of the particular needs of the Cork and Kerry Area, we can reiterate that the initial plan to address the elimination of on call, published in July, was a proposal which was always going to be refined and modified to the needs of each location and changed in the light of learning from the implementation of new models of service in other parts of Cork and nationally as well as full and due consideration of wider issues including demographic, geographic and activity based considerations . This is a point we made to you when we met in August.

To date, no decision has been made on implementation of a new model and I can confirm that the model, as outlined in the initial plan i.e. use of rapid response cars, will not commence in West Cork until at least the second half of 2012, but in all probability, closer to the end of 2012. In addition, the final configuration of ambulance services in West Cork, once the final analysis is completed, is expected be different from that outlined in the initial plan, which is based largely on Phase 1 deliberations and very different wider considerations.

In addition, the HSE will be providing an Intermediate Care Vehicle, i.e. an ambulance vehicle dedicated solely to the transfer of patients between hospitals, in Bantry in February 2012. This will improve the ambulance service by reducing considerably the amount of time that ambulances and crews are absent from Bantry while bringing patients from BGH to Cork hospitals. It is worth noting that of the 8 – 9 ambulance calls in West Cork (that includes all four Stations during the day) every day, approx 4 of these are routine transfer calls. Additionally, as these vehicles can carry two patients, they can transport twice the number of patients per journey as the current emergency vehicles which can transport one patient. The indirect benefits in terms of releasing emergency ambulance hours will also contribute to the final plan

In relation to Bantry Hospital, I can clarify that no decision has been made, to date, in relation to change in the opening hours the casualty department.

I have made arrangements for the senior management and Medical Director to the National Ambulance Service to meet with your group on Monday December 12th and look forward to clarifying these issues with you and your colleagues on that date. I will be in contact early next week to confirm time and venue.

Yours sincerely,

Ger Reaney.
Area Manager
HSE Cork