There's currently a high demand for ambulance services in the Dublin region.
The Emergency Ambulance Services of the Dublin Fire Brigade and the National Ambulance Service are experiencing a large volume of calls and requests.
People are being advised that non-urgent or non-life threatening calls to 112 or 999 may experience delays in getting an ambulance due to requests from other patients whose emergency care needs are higher.
Callers are advised to ring back if the patients condition deteriorates, and patients who no longer need an ambulance are advised to let emergency services know so resources can be diverted.
Priority
The HSE says emergency ambulance services operate a priority dispatch system to ensure paramedics and ambulances are dispatched to the most seriously ill and injured patients first in order of their priority.
Dennis Keeley, Chief Fire Officer of Dublin Fire Brigade, says: "We are experiencing very high demand for ambulances at present. We want to ensure that the sickest, that is, the most critical patients get an ambulance in a timely way. We thank you for your understanding in helping us serve the sickest in our community."
Robert Morton, Director of the National Ambulance Service, says: "Please bear with us over the coming days as we continue to be extremely busy. If the situation is not serious or life threatening consider contacting your GP, a minor injury unit, your pharmacist or self-care. Our staff continue to work incredibly hard trying to deliver normal health services and respond to the pandemic. The HSE is incredibly thankful for the continuing efforts of all of our staff in what remains challenging circumstances."
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