Independent Ambulance Authority Proposed Amid Concerns
The Cyprus Patients’ Association (CyFPA) has raised concerns about ambulance coverage in remote areas following the death of an elderly woman due to a delay in ambulance arrival. The incident, which occurred in a mountainous community near Nicosia, has sparked a conversation about the efficiency of emergency medical services in less accessible locations.
The woman’s granddaughter filed a complaint with the Patients’ Rights Observatory, shedding light on the critical delay that potentially impacted the outcome of the emergency. In response to this tragic event, CyFPA President Charalambos Papadopoulos is advocating for legislative changes to improve the ambulance system. While acknowledging the logistical challenges of stationing ambulances in every remote area, Papadopoulos underscored the necessity for a system that can respond more effectively to emergencies.
Referencing successful international examples, Papadopoulos suggested that an independent authority could enhance the management of emergency services. To this end, CyFPA has put forward a proposal to integrate private ambulances into the current system. This move aims to relieve the pressure on state services, which are presently tasked with handling non-urgent transfers. Additionally, CyFPA is calling for new legislation to regulate ambulance operations and define the role of private providers within the framework.
Recent reports from Phileleftheros indicate that a Deputy Ministry of Crises, tasked with overseeing emergency services including ambulances, is being considered by President Christodoulides. Concurrently, the Ministry of Health has suggested the creation of an independent National Ambulance Authority.
However, discussions have hit a roadblock due to the Ministry of Finance’s concerns over the potential costs involved. They have expressed a preference for creating a dedicated department within the Ministry of Health or maintaining ambulance services under the existing state health services organisation (SHSO). This financial consideration has delayed the establishment of an independent authority for over a year.
Despite these challenges, CyFPA and other stakeholders continue to support the independent authority model, arguing that it would lead to a well-funded and efficiently managed system. Negotiations between the Ministries of Health and Finance are ongoing as they seek to reach a consensus on the future structure of Cyprus’s ambulance services.
