Bernard Allen
Question:208 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if a recent EU directive on single stretcher ambulances has been implemented by all health boards. [4052/00]
Written Answers. - Ambulance Service.
As there is no directive currently in force dealing specifically with ambulances, I take the Deputy's question to refer to EN 1789 which is a European standard published by CEN – the European Committee for Standardisation. CEN was mandated to develop a European standard for road ambulances which was ratified in September 1999 as EN 1789: 1999 Medical vehicles and their equipment – Road ambulances.
This standard specifies requirements for the design and performance of road ambulances. Requirements are specified for three categories of vehicles which are described in EN 1789 as the patient transport ambulance, the emergency ambulance and the mobile intensive care unit. The standard specifies that one stretcher should be carried in each type of ambulance.
EU directives define the essential requirements that particular products must meet when they are placed on the market. Compliance with a relevant European standard may provide evidence of con formity to the essential requirements of a directive. However, compliance with standards remains voluntary, and manufacturers are free to choose any other technical solution that provides compliance with the essential requirements. As with other products, it is a matter for health boards to ensure that ambulances purchased by them meet the essential requirements of any relevant directives in force.