Michael Healy-Rae
Question:744. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the ambulance service (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3993/14]
View answerTuesday, 28 January 2014
Questions (744)
Written answers
The National Ambulance Service (NAS) must treat, stabilise and transport a patient in an emergency situation to the nearest appropriate emergency department. The overriding concern of the NAS at all times is that timely and appropriate pre-hospital care is delivered to all patients. Ambulance personnel operate under very strict clinical practice guidelines. Staff are instructed to take all patients to the nearest appropriate hospital. However, where there is a clinical by-pass protocol in place for a hospital, for example in relation to a particular condition or as part of an escalation process, a patient may be taken to a more distant facility. The National Ambulance Service is acutely aware that, when dealing with any form of traumatic injury, a hidden, more serious injury may not be immediately apparent. Accordingly, a clinical decision may be taken, following diagnosis at the initial hospital, to transfer a patient to another facility more appropriate to the patient's needs. If the Deputy has information concerning specific incidents in which he feels patients were transported to an inappropriate hospital, I would invite him to supply my Department with the details and the matter will be examined further.