Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Feb 2001

Vol. 531 No. 4

Written Answers. - Ambulance Service.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

33 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the system and procedures in place for the removal by ambulance of people in County Wicklow to hospital; if Tallaght Hospital is excluded from the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6035/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Responsibility for the co-ordination of emergency ambulance and patient transport service provision in the eastern region, which includes County Wicklow, rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority.

I am advised by the authority that in the Wicklow area when an emergency response is activated, the casualties or patients, are transported to the nearest appropriate accident and emergency hospital for the Wicklow area. Hospitals which provide an accident and emergency response to the Wicklow area include St. Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown and St. Vincent's Hospital, Elm Park. The Adelaide and Meath Hospital incorporating the National Children's Hospital, Tallaght is also a major hospital providing an accident and emergency response to the Wicklow area and I want to assure the Deputy that it is not excluded from the list of those hospitals providing such services to the Wicklow area.