James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue.

The HSE has confirmed to me that no ambulance stations are closing in Cork and Kerry. The opposite is true, as stations move to on-duty status and away from on-call. This means highly trained paramedic crews will be on-site in the stations to respond to calls rather than having to go to the station when called out. It also means that resources can be deployed dynamically, based on need and demand patterns, rather than simply by location, producing more flexibility and responsiveness. This will produce better response times for the people in the Cork and Kerry area and a better service.

Skibbereen will, under the new system, move to full 24 hour on-duty cover. Paramedics will be present at all times, with an on-duty ambulance during the day and an on-duty rapid response vehicle at night. The dynamic delivery model means that an on-duty emergency ambulance will be available from within the region as required.

I note that ambulance staff sought the elimination of on-call working, that it has already been reduced from 44 hours to 16 hours per week and that it will continue to decrease on a phased basis as part of the improvement of services and response times in the region. There are ongoing discussions with staff on implementing the proposals, including Skibbereen. The HSE and unions are committed to this process.

The national ambulance service proposals are phased. In phase 1, stations in east Cork with night time on-call will have crews rostered on-duty 24/7 and 365 days a year. The more rural stations of Castletownbere, Kenmare, Bantry, Skibbereen and Caherciveen will be in later phases. The service will be evaluated after each phase.

Current evidence suggests patient outcomes can be improved by better treatment and stabilisation at the scene, followed by ongoing treatment and transport to the most appropriate centre, even if that means longer transport times. On-duty service will enable a modern emergency response service involving paramedics, advanced paramedics, community first responders and GP out-of-hours services working together to respond to emergency situations. This approach is consistent with international best practice and will ensure compliance with HIQA response times and quality standards.

On-duty rostering is one of several service enhancements. Other developments include improved arrangements for control and dispatch, practitioner deployment and inter-hospital transfers. All of these will allow the national ambulance service to provide a better, safer, more comprehensive and more efficient emergency ambulance service to the people of Skibbereen and to the Cork and Kerry region as a whole.

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