asked the Minister for Health the number of cardiac ambulances in this country; where they are based; if he is satisfied with the present situation; if he thinks it would be an advantage to have hospital interns travelling with ambulances to accidents in order that optimum treatment may be initiated as soon as possible; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ambulance Services.
25.
There are no cardiac ambulances operating in this country at present. Agreement has, however, been reached with the Eastern Health Board for the provision of a cardiac ambulance service in the Dublin area, shortly. Arrangements are at present being made for the training of the ambulance men in the use of the special equipment to be installed in the ambulances. In the meantime an ambulance service for medical emergencies, including cardiac cases, is being provided in Dublin by the fire brigade ambulance service.
As regards the Deputy's suggestion that hospital interns might travel with ambulances to accidents I am advised that it would be difficult to arrange that the interns would be immediately available to accompany the ambulances, particularly in areas such as Dublin where the ambulances are not stationed at hospitals. Such an arrangement could also cause delays in the ambulances reaching the injured.
I would remind the Deputy that at present ambulance crews undergo intensive training courses which cover external cardiac massage resuscitation and first aid.
Is the Minister satisfied with one cardiac ambulance in the Dublin area?
No. There will be six.
Is the Minister aware that it is some months since he privately gave the undertaking that the Eastern Health Board would provide a cardiac service in the very near future and that since the private service was withdrawn there has been pressure on the single service provided by the Dublin Fire Brigade? Can the Minister give any indication when those ambulances will be provided?
I hope next month.
26.
asked the Minister for Health the steps he intends to take to ensure that the general public can contact ambulance services in the event of any future disruption in the telephone service.
During the recent dispute which affected the telephone system my Department kept in touch with hospital authorities and health boards regarding the effect of the dispute on their services. There were very few instances reported of difficulties in contacting ambulance services. A particular problem arose in relation to the Eastern Health Board ambulances stationed at James's Street for a short period due to accidental damage to telephone cables.
The general situation was kept under constant review by my Department with a view to taking appropriate action when the need arose and the same approach will be adopted should there be any further disruption of the telephone service.
Is the Minister not aware that this problem is twofold, that if there is any disruption of the telephone service between the ambulance service and the person who needs this service or between the local doctor and the ambulance service, it may be impossible to obtain this service? This was the case in many areas of the country when entire exchanges were out of order for months. Is the Minister not aware that many Members of the House have had examples of people having to travel seven and eight miles to a telephone before an ambulance could be obtained? Would he not consider the suggestion that in any future disruption of the telephone service use might be made of the radio links used by the Garda between their local Garda stations and their headquarters so that the ambulance service could be provided?
Naturally, all possible alternatives will be considered and availed of. I believe that the ESB have the best system available to us. Their service is probably better than the Garda service.
During the last dispute no effort was made through the public press or otherwise to notify the general public that such a service could be provided.
This is more in terms of providing facilities for the health boards than for the individual members of the public.
It was because individual members of the public experienced this type of difficulty that I was prompted to table this question and because of their difficulties in finding a telephone which worked in order to contact the ambulance services. Should not some steps be taken to make the public aware of how to contact emergency services when whole areas are without telephones for a long time?
I have already indicated what the position is.
In other words nothing will be done to help the individual.