Loss of Paramedic Rapid Response Vehicle to hit North Cork

News of the disbandment of the North Cork Advanced Paramedic Rapid Response Vehicle (AP RRV) – based in Mallow – was described this week as “an underhand move to cut back services in North Cork”, and local deputy Seán Sherlock called on Fine Gael public representatives in the area to “fight against this cynical move”.
“Fine Gael are reducing ambulance services in the North Cork region, and are doing it during July and August when the Dail isn’t sitting, so it becomes less open to scrutiny,” the deputy claimed.
It has been claimed that the rapid response vehicle will not be replaced by any other resource, which is in effect a reduction in emergency pre-hospital cover for the town of Mallow and the greater North Cork area. Mallow AP RRV came into being as a result of the reconfiguration of Mallow General Hospital in recent years, which included the closure of the Emergency Department and the cessation of after-hours anaesthetic cover at the hospital. At present there is only one Emergency Ambulance and one Advanced Paramedic Rapid Response Vehicle based in Mallow.
“Fine Gael need to be called out on this,” said Deputy Sherlock.