Ambulance Service Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 June 2013

Tuesday, 25 June 2013

Ceisteanna (594)

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

594. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions No. 690 of 12 February 2013 and No. 623 of 14 May 2013, if he will provide a detailed progress report on the Kenmare and south Kerry ambulance service; if he will ensure that the Kenmare Ambulance Service, County Kerry, is not downgraded; if he will provide a progress report on the meetings between the local communities in Kenmare and surrounding areas, all interested parties and the Health Service Executive/National Ambulance Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30518/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Deputy was informed by the Health Service Executive on 14 May 2013, the National Ambulance Service (NAS) is not aware of any proposals to implement cutbacks in services in Kerry. The HSE is currently considering the most appropriate model of service delivery for South Kerry, to replace the current on-call, static deployment model and the operation of resources in isolation. No decisions have so far been made and a number of matters need to be progressed before deliberations in relation to South Kerry can be finalised. These include public, staff and clinical (including GP) consultations, continuing national reconfiguration of the control and dispatch system and the ongoing roll-out of the intermediate care service for inter-facility patient transport in the region. A final model will emerge once this process is completed.

In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.