Call for Transparency and Urgent Reform in the National Ambulance Service

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The Irish Society of Paramedicine (ISP), representing over 900 frontline ambulance staff, has today issued an open letter to all sitting TDs following yesterday's Oireachtas Health Committee meeting with the representatives of the National Ambulance Service (NAS).

James Mullen, chair of the ISP, stated that "the hearing again highlighted a total disconnect between frontline staff and senior NAS and HSE management,” and called for immediate Government intervention to address a service that he describes as “understaffed, underfunded, and operating outside best international practice.”

According to Mr Mullen, morale within the ambulance service is at an all-time low, with staff facing a toxic work environment, unsafe dispatch practices, and worsening burnout. Paramedics continue to be sent to non-urgent cases, delaying responses to critical patients and forcing crews into late finishes and overtime.

The Society also challenged comments made by the NAS Director at the Committee meeting, who claimed that there are 400 Advanced Paramedics (APs) currently active in the service. “Our base-by-base data shows no more than 260 APs currently working in patient-facing roles,” said Mr Mullen. “The inflated figure appears to include those no longer providing direct patient care. This misinformation masks the true shortage of advanced clinical staff.” The ISP is calling for the immediate reinstatement of the AP training programme and the protection of the AP allowance, recognising the specialist expertise and responsibility required in the role.

At yesterday's hearing, the Director of the NAS refused to answer a direct question about allowances. This amounts to unacceptable behaviour from a public service leader and contributes to a growing crisis of confidence in the NAS leadership. “Frontline ambulance staff have lost faith in NAS management. Two major ballots have rejected the same unsafe proposals, yet leadership continues to ignore staff concerns," said Mr Mullen. "The workforce has sent a clear message – patient safety must come before cost-cutting.”

The ISP has urged the Government and Department of Health to:

• Commission an independent review of NAS management and dispatch systems.

• Reinstate the AP programme under existing terms and conditions.

• Ensure transparency and accountability at senior management level.

• Fully align NAS operations with Sláintecare and the NAS Strategic Plan (2022–2031).

"The NAS is at breaking point. The professionals who deliver lifesaving care every day deserve leadership that is honest, accountable, and committed to reform,” Mr Mullen concludes.