Long response times and delays at emergency departments are ongoing issues with the ambulance service, with the longest delays occurring in rural Ireland.

An ambulance turned up to a life-threatening event more than an hour after being called on more than 300 occasions over the first six months of 2021.

Southern counties were most impacted, with 45% of cases in Wexford, Cork, Kerry and Waterford. Distance involved was the most common reason for the length of response time, according to data obtained by The Story.

There has also been an increase in distance travelled by ambulances across Ireland. In 2021, over 12,000 - or 1.5% or all trips - were over 100km.

HELP US INVESTIGATE

We want to focus on Southern counties to find out why response times are getting longer for life-threatening events.

We will speak to people impacted by ambulance delays and find out what needs to happen to ensure people’s lives are not put at risk in these areas.

The last National Ambulance Service strategic plan went up to 2020, with a new HSE plan being finalised. We will talk to experts to find out if this is enough to solve the ongoing issues with the service.

If you want to make a contribution to help this investigation happen, click the 'Fund This Proposal' button. Noteworthy investigations are sourced from and crowdfunded by the public.

You can contact us at [email protected] and find out how we work here.