asked the Minister for Health the number of suitably equipped cardiac ambulances in each of the health board areas.
Written Answers. - Cardiac Ambulances.
528.
Mr. Leonard
Each health board has a network of ambulances equipped and manned with trained personnel to respond to accidents and other emergencies, including cardiac cases. The number of such ambulances in each health board area is as follows:
|
Eastern Health Board |
49 |
|
Dublin Fire Brigade |
9 |
|
Midland Health Board |
17 |
|
Mid-Western Health Board |
23 |
|
North-Eastern Health Board |
20 |
|
North-Western Health Board |
27 |
|
South-Eastern Health Board |
32 |
|
Southern Health Board |
31 |
|
Western Health Board |
35 |
|
243 |
A case has been made that there should be a service over and above the normal accident and emergency services to deal specifically with cardiac cases and there are a small number of such services in other countries. At present a cardiac ambulance service is provided by the Eastern Health Board in the Dublin area on a trial basis. The board have specially trained personnel to provide this service. This scheme is being evaluated at present with a view to determining its effectiveness and future policy in relation to such a facility.