asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that grave uneasiness has been caused by the report that the ambulance service formerly based at Saint Brendan's Home, Loughrea, County Galway, is to be removed, leaving Loughrea and district without an ambulance service; and if he will take steps to ensure that the service is continued.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Loughrea (Galway) Ambulance Service.
8.
I have had inquiries made from the health authority and I understand that, as part of the continuing process of improving the ambulance service in County Galway, the health authority have decided to discontinue the use of St. Brendan's Home, Loughrea, as a centre for this service in East Galway. Over the past 15 months the daytime service in this part of the country has, in fact, been operated from Ballinasloe which is the general hospital centre for the area. The experience so gained has confirmed that this is the most satisfactory arrangement. The only change now being contemplated consequent on this is to transfer the relief ambulance from Loughrea to Galway.
I am not aware that grave uneasiness has been caused by these developments and it would, of course, be quite wrong to suggest that Loughrea and district would be left without an ambulance service.
What the health authority are seeking to achieve is an improvement in the service for the whole of east Galway.