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File image of HSE ambulance. Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland
Ambulance

HSE apologises after ambulance went to the aid of an infant in the wrong county

The HSE said its satisfied that necessary protocols around responding to an emergency were adhered to in this case.

A HSE AMBULANCE, responding to an emergency call-out for a three week old baby in Kerry, was instead sent to Cork.

The family live in Tennis Village in Tralee, Co Kerry but the ambulance was sent one hour and 40 minutes away to Tennis Village on the Model Farm Road in Co Cork.

The HSE has now apologised after the family rang for an ambulance at 01.16am on Tuesday, 18 June but it did not arrive until 30 minutes later.

It is believed that the baby died of a suspected cot death.

“The National Ambulance Service is satisfied that the necessary protocols around responding to an emergency were adhered to in this case,” said a HSE spokesperson.

The HSE routinely conducts an analysis of its processes in cases where a death occurs with a view to ensuring all protocols were adhered to. Following an examination of the facts, the HSE can confirm that, despite the best efforts of Ambulance Control staff, there were significant challenges in establishing the exact location of the caller. Regrettably, this led to a delay in locating the patient.

Tennis Village in Co Kerry in comparison to Tennis Village on Model Farm in Co Cork. (Pic: Google Maps)

Related: Westerners most likely to face delays for life-saving ambulances>

More: Council to hear emergency call for full inquiry into boy’s Midleton death>

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