James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. A significant reform programme has been under way in pre-hospital emergency services in recent years. This is to ensure the best clinical care is provided for the people in each region served by the National Ambulance Service, through the provision of a clinically driven and nationally co-ordinated system that is supported by improved technology. The programme includes a performance improvement action plan and the development of the intermediate care service, the emergency aeromedical support service and the National Ambulance Service control centre reconfiguration project. Following discussions between the service and unions, changes are being implemented in rosters in a large number of ambulance stations around the country, including all stations in the former north east area, where the Deputy comes from. As a consequence of these new rostering arrangements, additional cover will be provided in a number of ambulance stations based on discussions with staff and activity and demand analysis.

The introduction of new rostering arrangements will progress a number of efficiencies arising from a Labour Court recommendation. It will address excessive overtime in rostering arrangements and will require the full co-operation of all staff.

The National Ambulance Service has completed an individual and collective consultation process with staff at each station in Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan. Staff, through their trade union SIPTU have agreed to implement the new rosters. Although staff and public representatives have raised concerns over claims of reduced cover, the National Ambulance Service has advised this is not the case - in Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan, the new rosters introduced earlier this year will see an increase in cover of 188 rostered hours a week, or approximately 9,800 extra rostered hours a year.

As well as the additional hours, the National Ambulance Service has introduced two rapid response vehicles in Ardee and Trim to augment services further. Also, as services are provided regionally rather than from single stations, ambulances from adjacent stations provide cover in a dynamic manner, by moving to areas as and where cover is required.

The National Ambulance Service has introduced more resources in tandem with the reorganisation of acute services in the Louth and Meath area. Extended analysis has identified that demand is in inter-hospital transfers, which have traditionally used emergency ambulances. In the former north east, this service is operating from Cavan, Castleblayney and Dundalk ambulance stations. The National Ambulance Service has also implemented additional intermediate care capacity in Louth. The ongoing introduction of intermediate care services allows the release of existing emergency ambulance resources back to emergency uses. These and other changes being implemented at local, regional and national levels will continue to move the ambulance service in the right direction - a national service, providing the best clinical care for the needs of the people in each region it serves. Emergency resources and staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring the people of the north east have timely access to highly skilled paramedic and advanced paramedic staff day or night.

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