Alliance Newry and Armagh Assembly candidate Jackie Coade has said more support is needed for the Ambulance Service, after a woman died in Newry while waiting for paramedics to arrive from Belfast.

The woman collapsed in the city but with only three ambulance crews available locally, paramedics were dispatched from Belfast. The woman died by the time they had arrived.

“My thoughts are with the family and friends of this poor woman, as well as the staff members of the Ambulance Service, who I’m sure did their best to reach her and save her life,” said Ms Coade.

“Nobody deserves to die on the street while waiting for the healthcare they need and deserve as standard. Due to increasing pressures, many people now only have the option to have someone else transport them to hospital or in an emergency situation, wait however long it takes, which can lead to the tragic consequences seen this past weekend.

“It is disgraceful the focus is only now being put on the Ambulance Service due to someone having passed away, when they have been crying out for some time for more funding. I, alongside my party colleague Paula Bradshaw MLA, met Michael Bloomfield recently and assured him Alliance understands the health service as a whole needs to be a priority.

“The workers and management are up for the challenge. We must ensure they have the support needed.”