A delegation from SDLP, led by Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan, recently met with the Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to discuss pressure facing the service.
Earlier this month an ambulance crew from Donegal had to come to Derry as NIAS was short of crews at its Altnagelvin depot.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Durkan said: “Recent media coverage has shone a light on some of the pressures facing the ambulance service, ambulance crews and, as a result, the risk to the public.
“For several years now NIAS has struggled to deal with a legacy of poor workforce planning decision making.
“Despite recent moves to address this, the staff remain over- stretched and over stressed.
“While we aired our concerns about lack of ambulance cover and the response times in some areas, we also took the opportunity to place on record our deep appreciation of the hard-working, heroic crews who go above and beyond every day in their life-saving work.
“The SDLP will continue to campaign for more investment in our Ambulance Service and support for its staff.
“Failure to implement improvements really will cost lives so it is vital that we ensure that NIAS is fit for purpose,” added the Foyle MLA.
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