Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Jun 1992

Vol. 421 No. 5

Written Answers. - Heart Ambulance.

Michael Ferris

Question:

40 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Health if the ambulance supplied through the Irish Heart Foundation to the South-Eastern Health Board has been put into service; and if he will outline (a) the date at which it was put into service and (b) the area which it serves.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

The provision of ambulance services in the South-Eastern Health Board area is a matter for the Board in the first instance.

I understand from the South-Eastern Health Board that the cardiac car which was provided by the Irish Heart Foundation will come into service on 20 July 1992. The service will operate on a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. basis for a one-year trial period and will be used within a radius of approximately 10 miles of Waterford Regional Hospital.

The Deputy will be aware that a review of ambulance services is currently being undertaken by my Department, together with the Health Boards. Amongst the areas to be covered by this review will be the provision of an effective response to cardiac calls and ambulance transport generally. It would be intended that the recommendations of the Review Group in relation to the provision of these services would be taken into account by the Health Boards when considering any future developments in this area.