Irish paramedics have reached 'breaking point' amid a huge surge in demand as flu, Covid and other illnesses wreak havoc on the health service, their trade union has said
The paramedics' union SIPTU claimed the National Ambulance Service (NAS) needs at least an extra 2,000 staff along with 120 new ambulances to meet the current demand.
They also said the increased numbers attending A&E's across the country has "severely impacted turn-around times" leaving ambulance crews waiting hours to hand over their patients.
READ MORE: Irish nurses threaten strike action over unsafe working conditions due to hospital overcrowding
This comes as the number of people waiting on trolleys in hospital corridors reached record levels this week, with 931 people on trolleys.
In a statement, SIPTU Sector Organiser, Ted Kenny, said: "The upsurge in demand on the NAS is pushing many of its paramedics to breaking point. The increased numbers attending Accident and Emergency Departments across the country has severely impacted turn-around times, with crews having to wait hours on end to hand over their patients.
"Some paramedics have reported working several hours beyond the end of their 12-hour shifts which is leading to burnout. In addition to this, they are now being requested to work additional hours to assist with the current upsurge of activity being reported across the health service."
SIPTU representatives called on the Minister of Health Stephen Donnelly to intervene in order to implement the recommendations from an Independent Review of Roles and Responsibilities Report from 2018, noting staffing concerns in the NAS.
Mr Kenny added: “An appropriately staffed and funded NAS that can retain its dedicated workforce, would be of huge benefit to the communities it serves as well as the acute hospital sector which has seen a huge increase in activity in recent weeks.
“We are calling on the Minister of Health, Stephen Donnelly, to intervene to ensure the recommendations of the Independent Review of Roles and Responsibilities Report are implemented as a matter of urgency.”
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