The tragic story of Philomena Donnelly, a woman who suffered a cardiac arrest in her west Belfast home, has shed light on critical parking issues affecting emergency services. Despite an ambulance arriving within 11 minutes, which meets the target response time for such emergencies, obstacles on the street delayed the response. Her family is now advocating for better parking awareness in their neighborhood.
Philomena Donnelly experienced a cardiac arrest in August and subsequently passed away five days later. Her husband, Damien Donnelly, recounted that paramedics were initially unable to access their street due to parked cars. He noted that neighbors had to move a vehicle to clear a path for the ambulance.
Access challenges are not unique to the Donnelly family; Damien highlighted that emergency services frequently encounter blocked streets in Turf Lodge. He expressed frustration over how parked vehicles can hinder timely medical assistance.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) expressed condolences to the family but refrained from commenting on individual cases. They acknowledged that various factors—such as traffic congestion and poor weather—can impact response times.
The Donnelly family is determined to raise awareness about parking issues in their area. Their daughter, Aimee, articulated the urgency of timely medical intervention, stating that even a 20-second delay could have altered her mother’s outcome.
She emphasized the need for improved parking etiquette rather than placing blame, indicating that each second is vital during emergencies.
Local councillor Paul Doherty has also voiced concerns about longstanding parking and congestion issues in Turf Lodge. He asserted that outdated infrastructure compromises emergency access and called for immediate action.
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has committed to visiting the area and considering potential changes. The Donnelly family has requested meetings with local authorities to discuss practical solutions, such as implementing double yellow lines on congested streets.
In conjunction with these efforts, Belfast City Council has launched a pilot scheme targeting illegal parking in south and east Belfast, which began earlier this month. This initiative aims to discourage irresponsible parking that endangers public safety.
As this situation unfolds, the community remains hopeful that increased awareness and proactive measures will ensure swift access for emergency responders, ultimately saving lives in critical situations.
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