Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Question:161 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to provide a 24 hour ambulance service for Killarney, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5992/02]
Written Answers. - Ambulance Service.
The Southern Health Board is responsible for the provision of ambulance services in its functional area, which includes Killarney. I am advised by the board that in 2000 it embarked on a plan to further extend, on a phased basis, the on-duty cover in its 16 ambulance stations outside of the Cork and Tralee area, and Killarney was prioritised for this development with the addition of an ambulance and an extra crew. The additional resources to give effect to this improvement in the service in Killarney enabled the board to extend the level of in-station duty cover at night up to 1 a.m. and to enhance cover at weekend nights in particular.
I am advised by the board that the new rostering arrangement, which is in place with effect from July 2002, will ensure that the service in the Killarney area will be improved in the most effective way and that it directs additional resources to where they are most needed. This reduction of on-call cover and increase in duty cover on a phased basis to 24 hours at the Killarney station is but one of the many aspects of the board's ambulance service which is being developed by it across its functional area.
Government policy on the development of emergency medical services is as set out in a number of policy documents, most notably the report of the review group on the ambulance service, which was published in 1993 and Building Healthier Hearts, the Government's cardiovascular health strategy. The report of the review group addressed, inter alia, the issue of the level of cover currently being provided by ambulance crews and made recommendations on how improvements might be made.
I assure the Deputy that the Government will continue to pursue a policy of investment aimed at improving key aspects of the emergency medical service including 24 hour cover. I am committed to the further development of this vital service in the context of the recommendations of the 1993 report, the implementation of the cardiovascular health strategy and in response to the priorities identified by the health boards. I will, therefore, continue to provide additional resources for the continuing development of the emergency services nationally to ensure that those calling on the service continue to receive timely and appropriate care.