Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2004
125 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the fact that the Hanly report did not specifically deal with industrial relation issues; and if he has information on the way in which the workload in general practice and the qualifications of ambulance personnel will affect the reforms proposed in the Hanly report. [6830/04]
View answerThe National Task Force on Medical Staffing agreed from the outset of its work that it would not deal with industrial relations matters, and that any of its proposals which had implications for industrial relations would be referred to the appropriate forum for those issues.
The implications of the Hanly report's recommendations for general practice and the ambulance service will be fully taken into account as we move towards implementation. There will be close liaison with general practice and with the primary care task force. The implementation groups in the two regions examined in detail by the Hanly group, the east coast and mid-western areas, include representation from general practice. There is also representation from general practice on the acute hospitals review group, the membership of which I announced recently.
The training of ambulance personnel to emergency medical technician, advanced EMT-A standard, is a key element of the Hanly report. I formally launched the EMT-A programme for the ambulance service in March 2003. Arising from this, the pre-hospital emergency care council, PHECC, has developed proposals on the introduction of the programme. The legislative changes necessary to facilitate this initiative are being progressed as a priority by my Department.
