asked the Minister for Health if the ambulance service provided by the health boards is an emergency ambulance service; if there is an obligation on the drivers of ambulances to use the blue flashing lights and sirens, visual and audible warning signs; and if such an obligation does not exist with regard to these aids, how injured and seriously ill persons can be speedily brought to hospitals, having regard to normal traffic congestion on roads.
Written Answers. - Ambulance Service.
52.
There are two aspects to the ambulance service which is provided by the health boards, namely: (a) the accident and emergency service which responds to accidents or other emergencies and (b) the patient transport service which transports patients on a non-emergency basis to out-patients departments and day hospitals.
In both these situations ambulance drivers are expected to exercise the same degree of care on the roads as other road users but in an emergency situation they are permitted to exceed the speed limits. For the latter purpose all ambulances on emergency duties are equipped with sirens and flashing lights to warn other road users of their approach and the public normally respect these signals and give priority to ambulances so that patients can be transported to hospital with the minimum delay. There is no obligation on ambulance drivers to exceed the speed limit and to use sirens and warning lights but they are expected to use discretion and act in accordance with their professional judgment depending on the urgency or seriousness of the case.