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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Feb 1965

Vol. 214 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Accident Ambulance and Hospital Services.

17.

asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the acute public dissatisfaction which exists with present ambulance and hospital services for road accident victims; and if he has any proposals for their improvement.

I am not aware of acute dissatisfaction with our present ambulance and hospital services for road accident victims.

During the last few years, my Department have been giving the closest attention to those services and through the co-operation of the local authorities, substantial improvements have been made. In the case of the ambulance service the provision of resuscitation equipment and the training of ambulance crews in its use have received special attention. The services of specialist anaesthetists have been enlisted to undertake this training and I am satisfied that these arrangements will contribute greatly to the attainment of a high standard of care for accident victims.

A new ambulance specification has been prepared by the Department of Local Government in association with my Department. Ambulances based on this design should be available shortly. The new type ambulance will be much superior to these at present in use, particularly so in the matter of suspension. A number of health authorities also have under consideration the installation in their ambulances of twoway radio telephone communication.

Over the greater part of the country hospital treatment for road victims is provided in the nearest County Hospital. In the city areas and particularly in Dublin a number of surgical hospitals is available to which the injured may be admitted. In Dublin as many as sixteen hospitals may be called on to deal with accident admissions although the great bulk of the serious accident work is dealt with by a small number of these hospitals. The question of the improvement of the hospital organisation in Dublin for dealing with serious accident cases is being studied in my Department. It is also being reviewed by a committee established by the Irish Medical Association and their views should be of great value in determining what improvements can be put into effect.

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