asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the cost of availing of the heart ambulance can be prohibitive in individual cases; and if he will arrange to have this service provided free of charge in emergency cases.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Heart Ambulance Cost.
84.
The Deputy is presumably referring to the cardiac ambulance service in the Dublin area which is a privately run concern. The cost of conveying patients eligible for hospital services under the Health Act in these ambulances is met by the Eastern Health Board by arrangements between the board and the proprietor of the service, but non-eligible persons may be charged direct by the proprietor.
I have asked the Eastern Health Board for a report in the matter.