Louth paramedics warn of ambulance gaps in Drogheda
By ArdeePost Reporter
Louth Paramedics Raise Alarm Over Emergency Cover in Drogheda
Frontline responders say AMPDS system and call misuse leave town dangerously exposed
Paramedics in County Louth have raised serious concerns about emergency ambulance coverage in Drogheda, claiming that the town is frequently left without a single vehicle available to respond to 999 calls.
The frontline workers say their ability to respond to genuine emergencies is being undermined by a flawed dispatch system, non-urgent callouts, and misuse of emergency services by the public.
“No Ambulance in Drogheda” Becoming Common
According to multiple paramedics based in Louth, there have been numerous occasions where Drogheda — the county’s largest town — has been left without a single available ambulance to respond to life-threatening emergencies, forcing control to dispatch crews from as far away as Dublin or Monaghan.
“We’ve had cardiac arrests where the nearest ambulance was 40 minutes away,” said one frustrated crew member. “People assume there’s always an ambulance down the road, but that’s simply not true anymore.”
AMPDS System Under Fire
Much of the frustration is being directed at the Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch System (AMPDS), the software used nationally to triage emergency calls. While designed to prioritise life-threatening incidents, paramedics argue it too often over-prioritises minor complaints, such as toothaches or minor pain, categorising them as emergencies.
This results in ambulances being dispatched over long distances to cases that do not require immediate medical intervention, pulling resources away from genuine 999 calls in other areas.
“It’s a flawed system. It puts the algorithm above human experience,” said another paramedic. “We’re being sent across counties for things that wouldn’t even warrant a GP visit, while real emergencies are left waiting.”
Public Misuse Adding to the Crisis
The problem is being compounded by what paramedics describe as growing public misuse of the 999 system. They say people frequently call for non-urgent issues, hoping to skip queues at emergency departments or avoid GP fees. While some of these calls may reflect frustration with the wider healthcare system, they are clogging up already stretched resources.
“It’s become common to arrive on scene and find someone just looking for a prescription or a lift to A&E,” said a senior paramedic.
Paramedics state: “Patient Safety at Risk“
The result, they warn, is a dangerous gap in emergency cover, with towns like Drogheda routinely left exposed. In cases where minutes can mean the difference between life and death, this lack of coverage poses a serious risk to patient safety.
Louth paramedics are now calling for:
- A review of AMPDS call triage protocols
- Increased ambulance resources based in Drogheda
- Public awareness campaigns on responsible 999 usage
- Better integration with out-of-hours GP services to reduce non-emergency pressure on paramedics
Paramedics aeait HSE Response
As of now, there has been no formal response from the HSE or National Ambulance Service (NAS) regarding the concerns raised, but paramedics say they are determined to speak out publicly until changes are made.
“This is about saving lives,” one paramedic said. “We need to fix this before it costs someone theirs.”