** Northern Ireland medics struggling with poor response times
NORTHERN IRELAND NEWS
** Northern Ireland paramedics continue to struggle with poor response times, with less than 40 per cent of urgent calls being attended to within the set target. That is the word from Belfast Live (Michael McHugh/June 16) which said the current target is 72.5 per cent of calls. According to the newspaper, pundits are now saying the poor showing is putting patient lives at risk. Union spokesman Kevin McAdam said the service is hampered by funding cuts, under staffing, stress, extreme overtime, and high sick rates. Ulster Unionist health spokesman Ray Biggs, meanwhile, said the main issue is the ageing population. By way of improving the situation, the Northern Ireland ambulance service plans to conduct a workforce review to identify problems. It has also said it will hire more staff.
