Laois Senator looks for Ambulance Service Reform
Senator Maria McCormack Demands Urgent Action on Ambulance Services in Laois
Working in collaboration with Independent Cllr Tommy Mulligan to drive change
Sinn Féin Senator Maria McCormack has called for urgent reform of the ambulance services in County Laois, citing critical issues that are endangering lives and placing unsustainable pressure on paramedics.
Speaking in the Seanad yesterday, Senator McCormack highlighted how Laois — despite a population increase of 8% since 2016 and a 25% rise in residents over the age of 65 — still has just one ambulance station serving the entire county. In comparison, neighbouring Offaly has three stations and a smaller population.
“This is a broken system that puts lives at risk,” Senator McCormack stated. “We have ambulances being dispatched from as far as 100km away, leaving Laois without cover for long periods. Meanwhile, emergency crews are being tied up with non-urgent hospital transfers or calls that don’t require life-saving intervention due to flaws in the triage and dispatch system.”
Senator McCormack also shared a deeply personal account of how her own family has been affected by the system’s failings.
“In December 2023, my father suffered a stroke. It took 45 minutes for an ambulance to reach him. That delay cost him his life. I will never forget it, and I will never stop fighting to make sure no other family has to experience what we did.”
Senator McCormack has been working closely with Independent Councillor Tommy Mulligan on this matter. Together, they are engaging with local communities and frontline staff to highlight the urgent need for reform.
She is calling for:
A second ambulance station for Laois
The introduction of Intermediate Care Vehicles (ICVs) for non-emergency hospital transfers
A reform of the current dispatch system to keep resources in their local area
An overhaul of the AMPDS triage system to ensure emergency crews are reserved for true emergencies
Investment and support for paramedics working under immense pressure
Senator McCormack concluded by confirming that following on from raising this on the floor of the Seanad she will now have the opportunity to speak directly with the Minister for Health after the easter break to demand change for these concerns.
“I’m happy to say I’ll have the opportunity to speak face-to-face with the Minister. I won’t stop until the ambulance crews in Laois have the systems, resources, and support they need — and until the people of Laois can trust that help will come quickly when they need it most.”