Council concern over ambulance service

Council is asking for meeting with Ambulance Service

Members of Derry City Council have said they are seriously concerned about the state of the Ambulance Service in the city.

They said the lack of adequate cover and the condition of some of the vehicles was placing a heavy strain on crews.

The council is asking for an urgent meeting with senior Ambulance Service management to discuss the problems.

SDLP Councillor Thomas Conway said staff morale was at an all-time low.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster on Wednesday, he said: "What you are relying upon is the good will and the dedication and the training of paramedics and ambulance crews who do their level best to save lives.

"That is their job, every morning they get up.

"But you are asking them to it with both hands tied behind their backs because they don't have the resources, they don't have the vehicles and they don't have the crews available to them to do their job properly."