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22/03/2018
NI Ambulance Service In 'Special Measures' Over Hygiene Issues
Concerns have been raised about the hygiene and cleanliness in some ambulances in Northern Ireland.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) is now being placed on "special measures" after some of the hygiene conditions dropped below the required standards.
The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) carried out a number of inspections on vehicles and stations.
SDLP Health spokesperson, Mark Durkan, said it has caused "significant alarm among people throughout our communities".
He said: "If any of us falls ill and needs to be urgently taken for treatment, we expect very clinical environment to meet the high standards of hygiene and infection prevention from home to hospital. The 'mixed picture' that the RQIA inspections found on a number of occasions simply aren't acceptable.
"Paramedics and other medical professionals are doing their very best with what they have. Their heroism in the face of extremely challenging conditions is unquestionable. And it's clear that resource pressures continue to have a very significant impact on all these matters.
"I'm pleased that RQIA has now recommended that a senior practitioner is seconded to the Ambulance Service to strengthen infection prevention and control arrangements. This additional support will be a key asset and is not meant as a further level of scrutiny."
Sinn Fein spokesperson for Health, Pat Sheehan, endorsed the RQIA recommendation that a senior clinician be put in place to drive internal infection prevention in the Ambulance Service.
He said: "Ambulance Service staff provide a high standard of emergency care to the community on a daily basis, often in very challenging situations and despite considerable workforce pressures.
"Staff must be supported by Ambulance Service management to improve hygiene and cleanliness.
"The addition of a senior clinician to assist the Ambulance Service to achieve this would be a positive step forward."
(CD/LM)
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) is now being placed on "special measures" after some of the hygiene conditions dropped below the required standards.
The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) carried out a number of inspections on vehicles and stations.
SDLP Health spokesperson, Mark Durkan, said it has caused "significant alarm among people throughout our communities".
He said: "If any of us falls ill and needs to be urgently taken for treatment, we expect very clinical environment to meet the high standards of hygiene and infection prevention from home to hospital. The 'mixed picture' that the RQIA inspections found on a number of occasions simply aren't acceptable.
"Paramedics and other medical professionals are doing their very best with what they have. Their heroism in the face of extremely challenging conditions is unquestionable. And it's clear that resource pressures continue to have a very significant impact on all these matters.
"I'm pleased that RQIA has now recommended that a senior practitioner is seconded to the Ambulance Service to strengthen infection prevention and control arrangements. This additional support will be a key asset and is not meant as a further level of scrutiny."
Sinn Fein spokesperson for Health, Pat Sheehan, endorsed the RQIA recommendation that a senior clinician be put in place to drive internal infection prevention in the Ambulance Service.
He said: "Ambulance Service staff provide a high standard of emergency care to the community on a daily basis, often in very challenging situations and despite considerable workforce pressures.
"Staff must be supported by Ambulance Service management to improve hygiene and cleanliness.
"The addition of a senior clinician to assist the Ambulance Service to achieve this would be a positive step forward."
(CD/LM)
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