HSE to examine locations for Edenderry ambulance service

The future looks bright for the provision of an ambulance service in Edenderry following a meeting with the HSE and Health Minister Mary Harney this week. Local politicians called for the meeting following the HSE"s decision to postpone funding for an ambulance base due to cutbacks. Meetings between the HSE National Ambulance Service, Edenderry town councillors and Offaly County Council will take place within the next few weeks to discuss possible locations in the town for the ambulance service. The HSE released a statement yesterday (Thursday) afternoon saying it had agreed to explore how it could provide an appropriate level of service from within existing resources. The move comes after the HSE pulled €1m in funding for a stand alone ambulance base in the town last month. Cllr Noel Cribbin chaired the delegation of six town councillors, which met with Health Minister Mary Harney, Minister John Moloney and a representative from the HSE National Ambulance Service on Wednesday night. Cllrs John Quinlan, Fergus McDonnell, Patricia Brady, Brian Carroll and John Foley made up the delegation. All were reported to be happy with the outcome of the meeting. The HSE described the meeting as constructive. The statement read: 'Councillors agreed to look at the options available in terms of affording the HSE access to appropriate facilities in Edenderry area from where a service could be provided. The HSE agreed to explore how it could provide an appropriate level of service from such a facility from within its existing resources pending any decision on additional staffing requirements for National Ambulance Service.' Cllr Noel Cribbin said: 'They (the HSE) acknowledged that an ambulance service is required for the area and it will now be provided, this is an example of political pressure delivering for the people. A month ago they had pulled the funding but now we"re getting progress.' 'All six councillors played a major part in this as did the Town Council as a whole. We kept this on the agenda.' The Edenderry delegation presented the PPP model proposal to the HSE, which would see the ambulance bay being built by a local developer who would then get the HSE to pay off the costs of the building over a number of years. However, the HSE told the delegation that while the PPP model was a good idea, the health service simply cannot afford the actual annual running costs of a new ambulance base. 'Future meetings are planned to progress this matter further. The HSE looks forward to working with the various representatives and organisations to find a viable solution for the area,' the HSE statement added. Cllr Cribbin also thanked Minister John Moloney for facilitating the meeting. A spokesperson for Health Minister Mary Harney told the Offaly Independent that the Minister would not be issuing a statement on the matter.