Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 June 2006
15 Ms Enright asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if emergency medical technicians trained to paramedical grade are using their skills in the ambulance service; if the roll-out of this vital service has been delayed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21251/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE) under the Health Act 2004. As part of the reform of the health service a National Ambulance Office has been established under the auspices of the National Hospitals Office within the HSE. The Office has responsibility for the provision of pre-hospital emergency care nationally.
The most significant development in the sector for many years is the roll-out of the Advanced Paramedic Training Programme. The introduction of the programme required two legislative changes which were completed in August 2005. The National Ambulance Training School (NATS), which operates under the auspices of the HSE, in conjunction with University College Dublin, is providing training for Advanced Paramedic candidates. The NATS graduated 29 Advanced Paramedics in 2005 and proposes to train a further 48 in the current year.
A Group Authority Licence was required for the administration of three controlled drugs — morphine, lorazepam and diazepam — by Advanced Paramedics. This Licence was issued by the Irish Medicines Board on the 5th May 2006. Completion of the training programme allows ambulance personnel to administer an additional 19 medications. This includes, for example, cardiac medications, which they could not administer previously.
The HSE has advised that, to ensure that a quality assured service can be rolled out, policies, protocols and structures are required to be in place around the issue of medicines management, including clinical oversight and security. The HSE has advised that it is finalising the operational policies and supporting infrastructure to allow for the rollout of the operational component of the service. This includes the development of policies in relation to medicines management and the management of controlled drugs carried by Advanced Paramedics working alone. These operational policies are undergoing final risk assessment at present. The Executive is also developing requisition and record management systems which are required to meet the demands of the regulatory bodies in this area. A clinical advisory group has been established in each area of operation around the country to provide a clinical oversight of the process.
The HSE ambulance service expects to be in a position to deploy Advanced Paramedics in an operational capacity from the end of this month.
