Ambulance base will employ 20 staff

By SIOBHÃÂN HOLLIMAN FEARS that Tuam's new Ambulance Base will be built and left unstaffed have been quashed by Galway East Deputy Colm Keaveney. The Labour TD says that not only will the base employ in the region of 20 highly-qualified staff but that efforts are being made to have it built and operating ahead of schedule. The HSE initially indicated that it would take ten months to build the base once on-site works begin. The two-storey building, accommodating staff and two ambulances, will be located on the former Bon Secours hospital lands, not far from the Irish Wheelchair Association centre. Deputy Keaveney says he is confident that 25 extra staff will be appointed as part of the reconfiguration of ambulance services in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. It's understood that in the region of 20 staff will be needed to operate the Tuam base on a 24/7 basis. 'High level discussions are taking place to ensure that the moratorium on employment in this instance won't apply. There is no fear of Government not honouring its commitment to staffing the facility,' he told The Tuam Herald. Work will begin on site next week by Galway company Carey Construction, who are the successful contractors for the project. Deputy Keaveney believes the development will provide local jobs both during construction and when the base becomes operational. 'There is a huge demand in the system for transfers. I am aware of a number of people from Tuam working for the ambulance service elsewhere who are eager to be based in Tuam. 'Tuam is a very attractive town for young ambulance personnel given the range of school and leisure facilities available. People certainly want to live and work here,' he emphasised. Deputy Keaveney said that everyone is determined to progress the base as quickly as possible and that he believed it would up and running before ten months are up. He said by next year North Galway will be well served by a modern health facility and that it will dramatically increase the response time by ambulances to areas such as Williamstown and Glenamaddy. 'This is a strong signal that local communities can expect significant improvements in healthcare services at regional level. It is also highlights the extent to which this government is committed to serving rural communities, unlike its predecessor. 'This development will go some way to addressing the years of neglect that Tuam suffered, even when times were good,' he added. It's understood that the new ambulance base's primary role will be in pre-hospital emergency calls requiring an ambulance service, and as part of the overall ambulance service in the region. The ambulance base in Tuam will form part of the network of ambulance bases in the HSE West region and will have a catchment area broadly within a 15-mile/25-minute radius of Tuam.