asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that it was disclosed at the road safety symposium in Dublin by a leading surgeon that 95 per cent of road casualties were brought to hospital in private cars, taxis, vans and lorries; and what action he intends to take to improve the ambulance service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ambulance Services.
23.
I have seen the statement to which the Deputy refers. I certainly do not accept that any general difficulty in obtaining ambulances gives rise to this situation. I am aware that persons suffering from minor injuries as a result of accidents may often be brought to hospital by car or other vehicle but in many such cases the services of an ambulance are not sought. In any event, I consider that the percentage quoted is not a true reflection of the general position. A survey conducted by my Department into the operation of the ambulance service on accident calls during a selected period of a fortnight showed that an ambulance was readily available to answer all but six of 430 calls received.
I have on a number of occasion informed the House that I have the ambulance service continuously under review so as to ensure that it functions as effectively as possible. At the beginning of this year, I asked health authorities to assign to chief medical officers general responsibility for the organisation and operation of the service. I consider that this arrangement will be shown to be to the benefit of the service.
At the moment a small informal committee is reviewing the equipping of ambulances and the training of ambulance crews. I am sure that further improvements in these aspects of the service will be achieved as a result of this review.