asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the new duties which will be assigned to ambulance staff, having regard to his recent statement concerning the reorganising and equipping of the ambulance services; and if he will arrange that local authorities consult with the trade unions concerned before any change is made in the duties of ambulance staff.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ambulance Service.
37.
Mr. O'Malley
The recommendations, issued by me recently in regard to the health authority ambulance service, arise from a continuing review of this service by my Department aimed at ensuring a constant process of improvement. Arising out of earlier recommendations, all crews of accident ambulances have been trained in artificial resuscitation methods. Recently, I recommended that where members of these crews have not also had first aid training they should now receive such training. I have also asked health authorities to equip their ambulances with radiotelephones.
These developments are all part of the normal process of improving the ambulance service, and, whilst they will ensure that crews will be able to perform their duties more effectively, it is not clear to me that they will impose new duties in the sense that the term is ordinarily understood. However, should trade unions wish to discuss aspects of the proposed improvements with the health authorities, I would expect that there would be no obstacles in the way of such discussion.