asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the Southern Health Board to provide transport facilities to medical card holders who are seeking same for transport to and from hospital.
Written Answers. - Medical Cardholders' Transportation.
32.
The provision of transport for patients is a matter for each health board in the first instance.
The Southern Health Board provides an emergency ambulance service for all persons where medical condition warrants it. The board does not provide a patient transport service other than this, except for mentally handicapped patients, psychiatric patients admitted under Garda escort, dialysis patients and cases of extreme hardship.
Cases of extreme hardship are dealt with on an individual basis with each case being assessed on its merits. In this context I should say that I have asked all health agencies to examine their procedures on patient transport with a view to ensuring that the minimum hardship is experienced by patients.