I 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.