Inefficiencies and “insufficient resources” at the HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS) were discussed by an internal HSE committee last June. However, the Executive has said recent progress has been made.
Challenges at the NAS were raised at the June 2025 meeting of the HSE audit and risk committee. According to meeting minutes, an update was provided to committee members on progress on the implementation of the recommendations in an internal audit report (IA) from August 2024.
The meeting noted that the key findings of the IA related to inefficiencies in fleet management, insufficient resources in the NAS fleet management division, and challenges in delivering on NAS policy objectives.
The committee raised concern around delays in meeting the implementation dates for the IA’s recommendations.
The committee highlighted that if risks “are not being mitigated in relation to overdue IA recommendations due to lack of funding or prioritisation… that the committee should be aware of same”.
In response to queries from the Medical Independent, a HSE spokesperson said the IA on NAS fleet management highlighted the need to increase capital spending on fleet replacement, update existing fleet procedures, fully mobilise the introduction of a fleet and asset coordination centre, and recruit additional staff to the NAS fleet and assets team. “All four recommendations are nearing completion, with the final step being to complete recruitment for several new posts approved in 2025, in advance of an uplift in capital monies expected to be included in the HSE’s Capital Plan for 2026.”
According to the HSE website, the NAS responds to over 400,000 calls each year, employs more than 2,400 staff across 118 locations and has a fleet of in excess of 620 vehicles. Alongside its partners, the NAS treats 4,800 patients, co-ordinates more than 800 air ambulance calls, completes 600 child and neonatal transfers, and it supports community first responders throughout the country.
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