Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 May 1994

Vol. 442 No. 5

Written Answers. - Southern Health Board Cardiac Ambulances.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

176 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health if the recent installation of cardiac units in Southern Health Board ambulances was as a result of a directive from the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

177 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of funding made available by the EC and his Department to the Southern Health Board for the provision of each cardiac unit installed in ambulances and the training of personnel to operate each unit.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

179 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health the cost of the installation of cardiac units in Southern Health Board ambulances; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

180 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health the number of personnel trained to operate each cardiac unit in Southern Health Board ambulances; and the cost of training by the board.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 176, 177, 179 and 180 together.

I am not aware of any European Union Directive on cardiac ambulances.

As the Deputy may be aware, in November 1993, I launched a report of the review group on the ambulance service and announced a major programme to develop the country's ambulance service. The review group produced a very comprehensive list of recommendations covering all aspects of the service, including pre-hospital cardiac care. These recommendations form the basis of Government policy for the development of the ambulance service.

At the launching of the report I stated that I would provide funding for the implementation of the recommendations of the report over the next five years. As a first step, £500,000 was immediately made available to health boards for the development of ambulance services. The Southern Health Board was allocated £75,000 for improvements to equipment, communications and staff facilities. Health boards will shortly be notified of their allocations for the further development of the ambulances service this year.

As the Deputy knows, the Southern Health Board has commenced implementation of a programme for the development of its cardiac ambulances service. The programme commenced in November 1992 and was completed in March 1994. A total of 25 ambulances have been equipped and 106 personnel members have been trained in defibrillation and emergency pre-hospital cardiac care. The cost of the programme, including training, was approximately £305,000.