asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that following Government cutbacks and the resultant deterioration in ambulance cover in the south west, a private company (details supplied) has ceased trading; that many vulnerable patients have been left with inadequate transport cover; and the plans he has to ensure their health and safety.
Written Answers. - South East Ambulance Cover.
42.
Ambulance transport services are a matter for each health board in the first instance and health boards may provide transport under the 1970 Health Act.
The South Eastern Health Board provides transport for medical card holders attending out-patient clinics in Dublin hospitals and also provides transport from Counties Carlow, Wexford, South Tipperary, Kilkenny and West Waterford to out-patient clinics in the Regional specialties at Waterford Regional Hospital at Ardkeen. The board also provides transport for dialysis patients and the handicapped attending workshops and day centres.
Since June of 1987, the board no longer provides transport for patients attending clinics at their local hospitals and the number of patients attending these clinics has not declined as a result. I am satisfied that an adequate ambulance and patient transport service is available in the SouthEastern Health Board area. There are in fact a total of 47 ambulances, including 15 minibuses in the area.
The private company to which the Deputy refers entered into contractural arrangements with some people in the South-Eastern Health Board area to provide patient transport to scheduled clinics at local hospitals. I understand that this company is now having some trading difficulties but as these were private agreements they are not a matter for me or the South-Eastern Health Board.