Parked Cars Delay Ambulance, Family Says

Parked Cars Delay Ambulance, Family Says

bbc.com

Parked Cars Delay Ambulance, Family Says

A family blames parked cars for delaying an ambulance's arrival to their home during a cardiac arrest, highlighting ongoing parking issues in their neighborhood.

English
United Kingdom
HealthPublic SafetyEmergency ResponseLocal GovernmentCommunity IssuesTraffic Obstruction
Northern Ireland Ambulance ServiceDepartment For InfrastructureBelfast City CouncilHousing ExecutiveSocial Democratic And Labour Party
Philomena DonnellyDamien DonnellyAimee DonnellyPaul Doherty
What other difficulties did the family experience related to parking?
In addition to the ambulance delay, the family faced similar parking issues during Philomena Donnelly's funeral, highlighting the ongoing problem. They had to move cars to allow the funeral car access, adding to their distress.
What is the perspective of local councilor Paul Doherty on the situation?
Local councilor Paul Doherty supports the family's concerns, stating that parking and congestion have plagued Turf Lodge for years. He emphasizes the need for infrastructural improvements to ensure emergency vehicles can reach residents efficiently.
What actions are the Donnelly family taking to address the parking issues?
The Donnelly family is advocating for increased awareness of parking issues in their neighborhood, Turf Lodge, which often obstructs emergency service access. They're pursuing meetings with local authorities to implement solutions.
What caused the alleged delay in the ambulance reaching Philomena Donnelly?
Philomena Donnelly, a resident of west Belfast, suffered a cardiac arrest at home. Her family alleges that parked cars blocked the ambulance's access to their street, potentially delaying crucial medical attention.
What was the ambulance's arrival time relative to the target response time?
The ambulance arrived within the target response time of 11 minutes for a category one incident, but the family believes that a quicker arrival could have improved the outcome. They feel the delay was directly caused by improperly parked vehicles.