I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 213 together.
The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has undergone significant change in order to ensure quality, safety and value for money. In line with other clinical areas, this process is ongoing as clinical needs and standards develop. I believe that these developments are in the best interests of patients, and that they are a key part of the Government's work to ensure high quality emergency care. Supported by my Department and by HIQA, the NAS is working to improve its services. This includes a reduction to two ambulance control centres nationally, with appropriate technology, a clinical lead for pre-hospital care, development and implementation of new performance indicators for pre-hospital care and development of standard national criteria in relation to non-emergency patient transport.
A relatively recent development to the NAS is the use of rapid response vehicles (RRVs). RRVs can be used to reach a scene more quickly than a standard ambulance. This allows the advanced paramedic to apply his or her training to determine the type of treatment and response required. There are four RRVs staffed by advanced paramedics on a 24 hour basis. They serve the Bantry, Nenagh, Ennis, Monaghan and Roscommon areas. There are a number of RRV resources in other parts of the country and these are deployed as required.
The HSE National Service Plan 2011 provides for a 24 hour RRV in the HSE Dublin Mid Leinster area. It is envisaged that the RRV will be in place by the end of the year. In addition to the RRVs, there are 3 Motorcycle Response Units (MRUs) serving the Dublin area, 7 days a week. In relation to the Deputy's question on advanced paramedics I have been advised by the NAS that the cost of training an AP is €127,000. The information the Deputy seeks regarding the number and deployment of APs is detailed in the following spreadsheet.
Advanced Paramedics
|
|
Course 10
|
Course 11
|
Course 12
|
Course 13
|
|
Course 14
|
|
Region
|
Qualified AP s at 2009
|
Finished Feb 10
|
Finished July 10
|
Finished Feb 11
|
To finish W/C 4th July 2011
|
Total APs July 2011
|
Commenced April 2011
|
Remainder on Panels
|
North East
|
17
|
3
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
23
|
0
|
12
|
North West
|
9
|
1
|
4
|
2
|
2
|
18
|
3
|
6
|
Midwest
|
20
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
24
|
0
|
5
|
West
|
16
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
18
|
3
|
0
|
East
|
29
|
0
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
36
|
0
|
5
|
Midland
|
12
|
4
|
1
|
5
|
1
|
23
|
0
|
2
|
South
|
13
|
4
|
3
|
3
|
6
|
29
|
1
|
8
|
South East
|
12
|
1
|
5
|
2
|
1
|
21
|
3
|
1
|
NATS
|
8
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
9
|
0
|
0
|
Total
|
136
|
17
|
17
|
17
|
14
|
201
|
10
|
39
|