Local assembly member, Lord Maurice Morrow, was reacting to news that more than one in three ambulances across Northern Ireland breaches guidelines because is too old.
The Fermanagh-South Tyrone MLA claims that, under best practice guidelines, ambulances are supposed to be replaced after seven years or once they have passed 100,00 miles, whichever is earlier.
Lord Morrow said: "Following on from information received in relation to health and safety matters, I am informed Dungannon's ambulance fleet is aged and well passed the mileage threshold."
He added: "Figures recently released by the Department for Health Social Services and Public Safety reveal one emergency ambulance has 312,758 miles on the clock."
The DUP assembly man said he had "serious concerns" about the reliability of emergency vehicles, particularly when attending the scene of an accident.

Urgent action needed

"With the closure of acute services at South Tyrone, the nearest hospital is Craigavon, so medics have to drive at high speed to get potentially life-saving treatment as swiftly as possible", continued Lord Morrow.
"I would have severe reservations about the dependability of such high-mileage, older vehicles in these instances."
Maurice Morrow has demanded an explanation for the position Dungannon finds itself in with regard to ambulance cover, and for action to replace the existing vehicles.
"With ambulances being the first on scene in emergencies, it is critical to ensure they are reliable and fit-for-purpose", he continued. "There is simply no room for error or lives could be placed in danger. Medics are carrying out first-class service and should be afforded first class equipment.
"The Dungannon ambulances serve the chiefly rural hinterland of South Tyrone, and it is important they are always in a road-worthy condition and able to respond to any emergency which may arise."




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