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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Jun 2001

Vol. 538 No. 3

Written Answers. - Cardiac Services.

Bernard Allen

Question:

208 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he proposes to introduce legislation to allow paramedical personnel with proper training to administer cardiac drugs in emergencies. [17722/01]

Policy on the development of emergency medical services in Ireland is set out in a number of documents, including the health strategy, Shaping a Healthier Future, the report of the review group on the ambulance service and building healthier hearts, the Government's cardiovascular health strategy. The approach set out in these documents follows the internationally accepted principles of the chain of survival which provides that effective care for cardiac emergencies requires the following: early access to emergency care, early CPR, early defibrillation and early advanced care.

The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council, PHECC, submitted proposals to my Department recently regarding the creation of an emergency medical technician-advanced, EMT-A, grade. The PHECC has recommended that the following two-stage process be adopted to introduce advanced practice to the ambulance service: a feasibility study of standard operating procedures, SOPs, for advanced practice; an invitation to relevant bodies to submit proposals for training courses. The feasibility study is required to explore the clinical, operational and managerial issues arising from the introduction of a new clinical service to the pre-hospital emergency setting. Implementation of these proposals will require clarification of the status of the EMT-A in relation to the administration of drugs in defined clinical circumstances. The PHECC has identified the core group of drugs to be used in such circumstances and has established protocols for their use by EMT-As, subject to the legislative position being clarified.

The submission is being examined by my Department and it will work closely with the PHECC, health boards, training bodies and medical services in ensuring the efficient introduction of advanced care services to the ambulance services.

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