2nd January 2002

Ambulance Sub Station will benefit Islandmagee/ Ballycarry Residents

Ulster Unionist Assemblyman Roy Beggs MLA has described the establishment of an Ambulance Sub Station in Carrickfergus as being a potential lifeline for people in the Southern end of Larne Borough like Islandmagee and Ballycarry. Funding for the sub station was approved by the Northern Health Board 18 months ago, but leasing problems had delayed the plan until now. The sub station will be based at the Carrickfergus Industrial Centre.

"The establishment of an Ambulance sub stations in Carrickfergus, which is something I have lobbied for over the past 2 years, will have benefits outside the greater Carrickfergus area. Areas such as Ballycarry, Ballystrudder, Whitehead and Islandmagee will gain from the establishment of the sub station at the old Courtaulds site."

Assemblyman Beggs has voiced concern in the past at the low response times to emergency calls in rural parts of East Antrim. Figures show that currently only 14% of emergency calls in the Carrickfergus borough area are responded to within eight minutes. It is thought that Ballycarry/ Islandmagee areas would also fail to meet the current response targets.

"Having an ambulance base in Carrickfergus will also provide additional options to dispatchers in neighbouring districts. I hope that this new development will be the start of dramatically improved response times for the Ambulance service in the area. If calls out times are reduced, additional lives could be saved," said the UUP representative.

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