Dinny McGinley
Question:390 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will consider Glenties as a base for an ambulance to service the town and the surrounding area. [21814/99]
Written Answers. - Ambulance Service.
The provision of ambulance services in the Donegal area is the statutory responsibility of the North-Western Health Board. The current deployment of ambulance services was agreed and consolidated in 1974. The decisions taken at the time have been subsequently validated with generally few difficulties experienced regarding delays. Delays, which have occurred from time to time, have upon investigation been found to relate to factors other than the location of the ambulance base.
In terms of ambulances bases, Glenties is covered at present by Donegal base which is 14 miles from Glenties, Killybegs base, 16 miles, and Dungloe base 20 miles. Both Donegal and Dungloe are served by two ambulance crews with three in Killybegs since 1998.
Operational experience tends to support these locations in terms of the overall coverage of the area. However, given that the present location of ambulance bases dates back to 1974, and notwith standing ongoing evaluation of service provision, the board is currently undertaking a review of the location of ambulance bases within the region. This review will assess the needs of south west Donegal which will include the Glenties area.