Heroic paramedics are doing their best under difficult circumstances, says SDLP Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA.
His comments come following action by the RQIA to place the Ambulance Service on ‘special measures’ as a result of hygiene and infection prevention issues.
Mr Durkan said that people across the North needed to be assured that all clinical environments are safe if they need treatment from home to hospital.
He said: “A series of inspections of Ambulance stations and vehicles by the RQIA has found issues with hygiene and infection prevention.
“This has caused significant alarm among people throughout our communities who expect the highest standards of hygiene when they need medical intervention.
“If any of us falls ill and needs to be urgently taken for treatment, we expect very clinical environment to meet the high standards of hygiene and infection prevention from home to hospital. The ‘mixed picture’ that the RQIA inspections found on a number of occasions simply aren’t acceptable.
“Paramedics and other medical professionals are doing their very best with what they have. Their heroism in the face of extremely challenging conditions is unquestionable. And it’s clear that resource pressures continue to have a very significant impact on all these matters.
“I’m pleased that RQIA has now recommended that a senior practitioner is seconded to the Ambulance Service to strengthen infection prevention and control arrangements. This additional support will be a key asset and is not meant as a further level of scrutiny.
“These challenges must be addressed as a matter of urgency.”
If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team on 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories Or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Or you can email editor@derrynews.net at any time.