Road infrastructure posing danger for ambulance journeys

Julie Kenwell • Published 8 Jan 2013 15:00

URGENT improvements are needed to bring the A32 stretch of road between Ballinamallard and the South West Acute Hospital up to scratch, according to Erne North Councillor, Raymond Farrell.

At the first Council meeting of 2013 the UUP representative said he had spoken to a constituent who had described a recent ambulance journey to hospital as "horrendous".

While welcoming the progress which has already been made on the hospital route at areas like Shannaragh between Dromore and Omagh, Mr Farrell said major investment was still needed at Kilgortnaleague and Sydare.

"For a patient sitting in the back of an ambulance with trauma like injuries it is not a pleasant experience to say the least," he said.

"Our local Roads division need the financial support to do the major scheme as we see happening in places like Shannaragh between Dromore and Omagh.

"The priority for the ambulance service is to get the patient to the hospital in the minimum time possible as safely as possible and this can further be enhanced by a major investment in these areaa of the A32 close to the South West Hospital. Such investment will also improve safety as the Roads Service strategy document talks a lot about as well."

The issue was also raised at a recent Development Committee meeting at Townhall attended by members of the Western Local Commissioning Group, Health and Social Care Board when it was confirmed that discussions were already under way to address the problem.

For more on this story see The Impartial Reporter this Thursday.

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