More than 70 per cent of potentially life-threatening emergencies are not responded to quickly enough, new figures show. The figures, released to Fianna Fáil health spokesman Billy Kelleher TD, show that last year less than 28 per cent of “potentially life-threatening emergencies” were met by a first responder within eight minutes, missing a target of 75 per cent set by the Health Information and Equality Authority (Hiqa). And just over half of all those in a “life-threatening emergency” with a cardiac or respiratory condition were seen by a first responder within eight minutes, also missing the 75 per cent Hiqa target.
Mr Kelleher said: “Hiqa has set strict targets that are not being met, and patients are not getting the medical attention they need in emergencies in a timely fashion.”
He called on Minister for Health James Reilly to meet the HSE and put in place a plan to ensure targets are met.
His call came after Carlow GAA player Shane Webb had medical treatment for two broken legs delayed for seven hours because of problems with ambulance transport.