Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 March 2014
209. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the financial allocations for the National Ambulance Service on a regional and subregional basis; the plans for the reorganisation of this service in the Dublin region and the role the Dublin fire brigade ambulance service will have in this reorganisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14357/14]
View answer218. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure a full independent review of emergency ambulance provision in Dublin is undertaken that has representation from fire-based EMS experience as part of the review body. [14417/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 218 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 pre-hospital emergency care 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 the context of the development of the national control system, the Dublin City Manager and the HSE’s Chief Operating Officer have 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 continue to modernise and services can be delivered in an appropriate and timely manner, to the benefit of patients.
The operational matters concerning financial allocations and the review of Dublin services have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputies.
