Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply; we are on the same page on this. Those who represent staff in the ambulance control centres, particularly SIPTU, are very concerned about patient safety. They have raised concerns about the move to this interim facility in recent days.

The Minister of State remarked that based on current known variables, the moves to the Tallaght and Ballyshannon centres will be complete by the end of 2014. That is welcome and those who represent staff have bought into that process. It complies with international best practice.

The Minister of State also mentioned that the National Ambulance Service and HIQA have some concerns about the control and dispatch structures at some of the existing control centres. It is my experience that the centres operate in a very effective fashion and comply with HIQA regulations and other aspects of the regulatory environment, as they are required to do. In this context, however, concerns have been raised by SIPTU that have been referenced with HIQA and the Health and Safety Authority related to the working environment at Townsend Street. As I understand it, the National Ambulance Service has refused to engage with the trade union concerned on an independent risk assessment of the site. These are experienced people working in the ambulance control sector and this is an experienced health sector trade union. If there are legitimate concerns, they should be pursued with the National Ambulance Service and should be taken seriously by HIQA and the HSA.

There is also a concern about the technology that is being used at the site. The move will not permit a single use system for call taking and dispatching, which can lead to confusion. We are all concerned about patient safety and efficiency in the ambulance service in terms of responding to emergencies and supporting staff to play a critical role in our health service. It is a concern for the Minister of State and the House and we must all ensure we do the right thing not just on behalf of the workers involved in the service but, specifically, the people who depend upon it.

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