Medical Aids and Appliances.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2004

Tuesday, 7 December 2004

Questions (115)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

135 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position with regard to trained members of the public using an automatic external defibrillator; if they are made wards of the relevant health board area; if they are to report the incident to the emergency services before commencing use of the defibrillator; if not, if the trained person is contacted by the emergency services and asked to use it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32058/04]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

My Department is aware of the potential to reduce the number of sudden cardiac deaths in the community. The provision of community-based cardiac defibrillators including their placement, the ongoing training of relevant personnel and community volunteers and related issues are being examined by the recently established task force on sudden cardiac death. The task force is due to report by May 2005. I am advised that the pre-hospital emergency care council are providing ongoing guidance in relation to these issues. There are complex issues such as those raised by the Deputy to be teased out in relation to public access defibrillator schemes. I look forward to receiving the guidance of the task force.