Mattie McGrath demands urgent ambulance care for Cashel patient

Mattie McGrath raised the case of Oireann, a 55-year-old Cashel woman who urgently needs a patient transfer and ambulance to UHL Hospital for an infusion to prevent further relapse in her multiple cirrhosis MS. He warned that local ambulance services cannot guarantee transport and called for urgent support and a new ambulance base in Tipperary.

Patient case

The deputy outlined that the patient, named Oireann, lives in Cashel and requires a patient transfer service and ambulance to UHL Hospital tomorrow at 11am for an infusion to prevent further relapse in her multiple cirrhosis MS. He noted the woman is delayed already by a week and that her mother, described as a captain, is 82 years of age.

Transport failure last week

McGrath said the required trip did not happen last week because the voluntary ambulance service driver became ill and was unable to bring her. He reported that the ambulance service are unable to bring her tomorrow and that, as of the speech, no alternative transport had been arranged.

Clinical condition of the constituent

The deputy described the constituent as having severe health needs, saying she was a nurse and is paralysed from the neck down and almost completely blind because of a relapse. He warned she now requires full-time care and that missing the infusion would risk further deterioration.

Ambulance services under pressure in Tipperary

McGrath stressed that the ambulance service from Tipperary are stretched and do a great job in South Tipperary and Clonmel, and said they urgently need a new ambulance base and additional support to meet demand.

Government response

The Taoiseach replied that he would look into the ambulance situation and ask the minister to revert to the deputy. He also said he would pass the case of the constituent referred to as Lorraine to the Minister for Health and ask that the HSE reach out to the deputy and his constituent.