Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014
1009. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason for the review of ambulance services in Dublin city; if he will give an assurance that Dublin Fire Brigade will retain control of the day-to-day running and, crucially, the despatch of ambulances in the city after this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13040/14]
View answer1201. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his position on the current ongoing review of the Dublin ambulance service; and his views on whether this review is necessary. [14085/14]
View answer1211. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on the attempt by the Health Service Executive to take control of Dublin's ambulance service, which is currently provided by Dublin Fire Brigade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14175/14]
View answer1212. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he supports the view that a service level agreement is needed to provide for direct funding for the emergency ambulance service in Dublin to ensure the continued provision of a fire-based ambulance service delivered by Dublin Fire Brigade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14176/14]
View answer1213. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that an independent review of emergency ambulance provision in the Dublin region is undertaken to ensure that all aspects of the attempt by the Health Service Executive to take control of Dublin's ambulance service, which is currently provided by Dublin Fire Brigade, are fully considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14177/14]
View answer1214. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views that the provision of emergency ambulances in the Dublin region should become the sole responsibility of the Dublin Fire Brigade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14178/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1009, 1201 and 1211 to 1214, inclusive, together.
Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) provides emergency ambulance services in Dublin city and county, by arrangement between Dublin City Council and the HSE. The HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS) provides some emergency capacity in the greater Dublin area, as well as non-emergency patient transport.
The ongoing development of the NAS involves a range of initiatives, including the development of a single national control and dispatch system, which will deploy all emergency ambulance resources in the State, including emergency ambulances, rapid response and intermediate care vehicles, first responders, aeromedical services and ambulances in Dublin.
In light of the HSE’s new national control and dispatch system which will be introduced in 2015, the Dublin City Manager and the HSE’s Chief Operating Officer commissioned a joint review of DFB ambulance services in Dublin City and County. The review will consider all aspects of ambulance operations provided by DFB within the Dublin area, including the capacity and capability of ambulance services.
The review will inform consideration of the optimal and best value model for provision of emergency medical services in the greater Dublin area. It is part of the process of ensuring a clinically driven, nationally co-ordinated system, supported by improved technology, so that emergency pre-hospital care can be modernised and services can be delivered in an appropriate and timely manner, to the benefit of patients.
