Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 1

Written Answers. - Ambulance Service.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

417 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself that the ambulance service is sufficiently modernised and equipped to meet all eventualities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3748/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The Eastern Regional Health Authority and each of the seven health boards are responsible for the provision of ambulance services in their functional areas. Policy on the development of emergency medical services in Ireland is set out in a number of documents, including the health strategy, Quality and Fairness – A Health System for You, the strategic review of the ambulance service, 2001, and Building Healthier Hearts, the Government's cardiovascular health strategy.

There have been significant developments in the ambulance service in recent years including a major upgrading in training and standards; the equipping of emergency ambulances with defibrillators and the training of ambulance personnel in their use; the development of a suite of standard operating procedures, SOPs, which draw on current best evidence in key area of concern to those working in the emergency ambulance service and provide a clear approach to assess ment and treatment and are an important step in developing the focus on clinical effectiveness; and progress in upgrading the ambulance fleet and equipment. Improvements in communication equipment and control operations have also been a feature of developments. Many of the developments have occurred in the context of rapidly increasing demands and expectations, and continuing technological and medical advances. As a consequence of these developments the emergency ambulance service now provides a more significant level of service in the pre-hospital emergency care setting.

The increasing emphasis on the clinical aspects of the emergency medical technician's role in emergency medical care is very much in evidence in the development of the emergency medical services worldwide. As these services continue to evolve and become more sophisticated the need for high quality education for EMTs increases. Educational programmes are being developed as part of a quality assurance and quality improvement process which provide personnel with appropriate knowledge and skills to ensure maintenance of accepted standards of care practice. These programmes are being developed by the pre-hospital emergency care council, whose primary function is to develop appropriate standards in pre-hospital emergency care. It is in this context that the council is pursuing the development of professional and performance standards for the ambulance services, and for ambulance service personnel, in addition to the accreditation of institutions providing training for EMTs. As part of the educational process, ambulance crews are trained to a high level of professional competence to enable them to fulfil their role in dealing with all emergency responses in the pre-hospital care setting.

The cardiovascular health strategy clearly highlights the importance of patient-centred pre-hospital care involving not only the ambulance service but general practitioners, first responders and the public at large, who all have a role to play in providing the right care at the right time. In line with this approach, services are being developed to provide an appropriate level of care in the community to deal with cardiac emergencies.

I am satisfied with the progress made to date in the development of this vital service. I recognise that more needs to be done and in this regard I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to pursue policy initiatives aimed at improving key aspects of the emergency medical services in order to ensure that those calling on the service receive timely and appropriate care.