Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I wish to address this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney.

The Department has been informed by the national ambulance office of the HSE that, while the statistical information required by the Deputy is not readily available, it will arrange for the collation of the information requested and furnish a reply directly to him. Deputy Ring gave details in regard to a particular case. I was not aware he was going to raise it but I will get further details from him and will take the matter up directly with the HSE on his behalf.

The role and purpose of the ambulance service is to provide a clinically appropriate and timely pre-hospital care and transport service. Pre-hospital emergency care and transportation services are provided as an integral part of the continuum of care for patients.

The primary focus of the ambulance service is on the provision of emergency transport for those patients with an acute medical need. However, the HSE also arranges for the provision of patient transport services and examines all requests for such services on a case by case basis, taking account of individual needs.

The HSE has advised that its national ambulance office, in conjunction with primary community and continuing care in the national hospital office, is currently arranging for a comprehensive review to be undertaken of the non-emergency transport needs of patients attending HSE facilities. This review will include an examination of the service currently delivered nationally and make recommendations that will inform its future development. The HSE has advised that it anticipates that the view will be completed by the end of 2006.

Given what the Deputy said, I am concerned that transport was not available to a person in that situation. I will follow the matter up and get back to the Deputy.

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