SIPTU’s Health Division is urging the HSE to urgently reopen Lifford Ambulance base to restore essential emergency services in County Donegal.
The closure of the base in 2021, following infrastructural issues, has placed tremendous strain on ambulance resources across the county.
Without a local base, vast areas, including the border region with Derry and Northern Ireland, face delayed emergency response times.
Despite an initial agreement to keep Lifford crews operating locally, management recently announced plans to permanently reassign staff to Stranorlar, raising fears of a permanent closure for Lifford Ambulance base.
SIPTU Health Organiser Ciaran Sheridan said: “Retaining the Lifford Ambulance base is essential to maintaining strong emergency cover for Lifford and the wider East Donegal area.
“A local base supports faster Emergency Ambulance responses for time-critical calls and helps ensure that communities across Lifford, Raphoe, St Johnston and surrounding rural areas are not disadvantaged by distance in a life-threatening medical emergency.
“Keeping a presence in Lifford would complement existing services in Stranorlar, improve geographic coverage, and provide reassurance to residents that life-saving emergency pre-hospital care remains close to the communities it serves.”