A Kerry County Councillor says there needs to be penalties for people who use the ambulance for frivolous reasons.
Fine Gael councillor Angie Baily brought a motion on the issue before today’s monthly meeting of Kerry County Council.
She's heard of cases whereby ambulances are used as a taxi service.
Ambulance crews are required to then transport these people to hospital, but the people being transported leave the hospital immediately as they don’t require medical treatment.
Cllr Angie Baily gives examples of how the ambulance service has been mistreated:
Cllr Angie Baily says there should be the establishment of a national phone service so those in most need and callers with genuine concerns are properly cared for.
She says this could be used for acute but not urgent medical cases to re-direct non-emergency cases away from the ambulance service.
Cllr Baily says people who misuse the ambulance service should be penalised:
