Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

The 2001 report of the strategic review of the ambulance services forms the basis for the development of future pre-hospital emergency medical services. It identifies aspects of the emergency ambulance service which need to be addressed in order to bring the service into line with best international practice and to ensure effective and quality driven practices. The report recommends that the service be developed at a number of levels. Principal among the proposed developments are the elimination of on-call as a means of providing emergency cover, improved fleet reliability and the roll-out of the emergency medical technician advanced programme. There is evidence of a direct relationship between the speed of response and good outcomes in life threatening emergencies, such as cardiac arrest and major trauma.

The elimination of on-call is designed to facilitate further improvement in response times. The Minister for Health and Children was pleased to provide funding in excess of €3 million in 2004 to facilitate the continuing phasing out of on-call arrangements in a number of regions. It is hoped to extend this programme. Additional capital funding of €2.5 million was provided in recent months to enable the service providers to improve fleet reliability. This includes continuing with fleet and equipment replacement programmes which are essential pre-requisites for enhanced speedy and appropriate care. In addition, the Minister has announced approval for the development of the emergency medical technician advanced programme. Considerable work has been done by the pre-hospital emergency care council, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children, in preparing the legislation necessary to give effect to the introduction of this programme in 2004. The introduction of emergency medical technician advanced training is the single most important development which is taking place in the emergency ambulance service. The health strategy also refers to the importance of the first response.

Senator Coghlan is aware that responsibility for the provision of ambulance services in the Kenmare area rests with the Southern Health Board. I am advised that concern has been expressed by a number of GPs in the Kenmare and Sneem catchment area about the future of the service. The board was happy to be in a position to allay this fear and has advised the GPs that it has no plans to close or reduce the future of the Kenmare ambulance station. The board is addressing the key recommendations of the 2001 strategic review and is advancing arrangements for the reduction of the on-call element of the staff workload at the Kenmare station. The Department of Health and Children is advised that measures aimed at achieving this are the subject of discussion between members of the board's ambulance management team and ambulance personnel. The resource implications associated with the board's proposal for the elimination of the on-call element are the subject of consideration within the Department of Health and Children.

I assure Senator Coghlan and the House that the Government is fully committed to the development of our emergency ambulance service. A great deal has been achieved in the development of the service, although I recognise that much more remains to be done. It is essential to maintain the progress that has been made and to continue the process of service development so that effective pre-hospital emergency care is accessible to those who need it most, when and where it is required.

Senator Coghlan is concerned that there are plans to close, reduce or put into question the future of the Kenmare ambulance station. The Southern Health Board has indicated to my Department that there is nothing to fear from the operation, enhancement and development of the Kenmare ambulance station. The changes in the on-call element of the service are in line with the findings of the 2001 strategic review. If Senator Coghlan wishes to raise any aspect of the matter or any related issues, I will be happy to try to respond to him. Alternatively, he can take the matter up directly with the Southern Health Board. If he has any further concerns, I will be happy to try to address them.