Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 December 2004
52 Mr. Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number and percentage of ambulance personnel that are trained medical technicians; the plans there are to further train these EMTs to paramedical status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31768/04]
View answer102 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the additional resources which the health boards or others have received to train emergency medical technicians; and the areas in which additional funding has been or will be spent. [31769/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 102 together.
My Department does not routinely collect information on the numbers of ambulance personnel who are trained medical technicians. My Department has, therefore, asked the health boards executive to collate the information requested and to respond to Deputy Crawford directly.
The Report of the Strategic Review of the Ambulance Service 2001, which forms the basis for the development of pre-hospital emergency medical services into the future, identified aspects of the current emergency ambulance service which need to be addressed in order to bring it into line with best international practice to ensure effective and quality driven practices.
One of the principal recommendations of the report was the rollout of the advanced paramedic training programme. A new Statutory Instrument amending the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council's (PHECC) Establishment Order, to facilitate the introduction of the programme, was signed in September 2004. The introduction of the advanced paramedic training programme also requires amendment of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1988 and the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control) Regulations 1996. These legislative changes are being progressed as a priority by my Department.
The combined amendments will provide a statutory basis for the administration of additional medications, for example, cardiac medications, and it is intended that this expanded service will commence rollout in 2005, following the completion of training of ambulance personnel. Additional revenue funding of €500,000 was provided to the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council in 2004 to facilitate the commencement of the training element of the programme.
My Department is advised by the PHECC that training of the first cohort of 16 EMTs will be completed in May 2005. Groups of 16 EMTs will undergo training every three months thereafter.
I would like to assure the Deputy that the Government is fully committed to the development of our emergency ambulance service and that my Department will continue to pursue a policy of improving key aspects of the emergency medical service in order to ensure that those calling on the service receive timely and appropriate care.
