“The Open Day was a great opportunity for our staff to showcase their work,” according to Pat Mooney, General Manager, HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS) Midlands and Dublin Area, speaking after Tullamore Ambulance Station crews recently invited the local community to join them in learning about the life-saving work they carry out on a daily basis.

People with an interest in NAS were invited to drop into the Tullamore station, located in the grounds of the Midland Regional Hospital, in recent weeks. When they arrived they were greeted by NAS staff and were able to meet the teams and hear directly from staff about their experience in the service.

As well as viewing a range of NAS vehicles and equipment, the visitors also met with Community Engagement Officer Amanda Ross who gave a CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) demonstration on one of the customised manikins.

A comprehensive training overview was provided by Phelim Nevin, Education Competency Assurance Manager. Visitors also learned how the NAS College campus in Tullamore is playing a leading role in training and educating Ireland’s next generation of paramedics.

The NAS Education Campus in Tullamore has seen many student paramedics successfully complete the degree programme. The campus is one of three that serve the HSE NAS College - established to deliver essential education to new recruits. The other campuses are based in Tallaght in Dublin and in Ballinasloe, Co Galway.

With its midlands location, the Tullamore campus is accessible to students from all over Ireland and well-positioned to deliver first class clinical and operational skills to all the students who attend.

Reflecting on the Open Day, Pat added that it had been “a really constructive experience."

"Everyone who attended was very interested in meeting the crews, seeing our station and finding out more about our working lives. It was well worth doing and the feedback was very positive.”