asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (name supplied) who suffered a heart attack in County Tipperary, whose condition necessitated his transfer by heart ambulance to Dublin and who would not be accepted by the heart unit without prior payment of £68; and if he will ensure that essential ambulance facilities will always be made available in emergencies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Essential Ambulance Facilities.
3.
I have made inquiries about the patient mentioned and am informed that he was a Dublin man who collapsed at a hurling match in Thurles on 4th May and was admitted to Thurles District Hospital. He was examined by the hospital's medical officer who advised that he be transferred to an acute general hospital. Because he lived in Dublin it was recommended that he be sent to one of the Dublin hospitals. Arrangements were made to have him collected and brought to Dublin by private cardiac ambulance for which the man's relatives agreed to pay. The health board's ambulance in Thurles was available to transport the patient to Dublin but the patient's relatives preferred to hire the private cardiac ambulance.
Arising from the Parliamentary Secretary's reply it is true to say that the man lived in Dublin. It is utterly immaterial where he lived. The fact is that the heart ambulance was required. Do I take it from the Parliamentary Secretary's reply that it was a question of having the money paid first? The person's life received very little consideration. We have had a number of complaints about this in Dublin. We had a similar occurrence in Lucan recently.
The Deputy is embarking on a statement. This is not in order.
It is a very important one. A person's life was involved.
In my reply I mentioned that the health board ambulance at Thurles was available to transport the patient to Dublin. That was known to the patient's relatives at the time.
Why was the health board ambulance not used?
The patient's relatives preferred to get the heart ambulance.
The patient's relatives were told that the heart ambulance would be required. Before that ambulance moved from Stillorgan the money had to be paid. At the time it was a very serious situation. It is about time something was done about this.
It is only fair for me to say what is in the brief. It is said in the brief that a local ambulance which was located in Thurles District Hospital was available for use and was offered to the patient for transport to Dublin with a nurse in attendance. The patient's relatives preferred to hire the private cardiac ambulance perhaps because they thought it would be a safer means of transport for a cardiac patient.