The Irish ambulance service is understood to be in a state of disarray, as attacks while on callouts and undue pressure from dire working conditions are causing staff to leave in their droves.
Emergency paramedics also claim that bosses have refused to provide stab-proof vests, despite a number of attacks in recent times.
The situation is particular dire in the north east, where the system is at risk of imminent collapse due to staff shortages, according to sources. There simply isn’t enough people working in the service anymore, it has been claimed.
One crew member said that: “On Christmas Day there was only one ambulance to cover Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan and that is one of the busiest days of the year for the service.”
It is also claimed that HSE bosses who remain safely behind their desks are at the same time refusing to provide stab-proof vests to front line staff.
According to the same crew member, people have little appetite to apply for a position in the ambulance service these days. 29 paramedic positions were recently advertised in the Cork area in the recent past, but just one person applied. The paramedic said“People are leaving left, right and centre.