Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to address the House, on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, regarding the ambulance service in north County Louth. The National Ambulance Service has three bases in Louth, namely Dundalk, Drogheda and Ardee, from which emergency ambulances and intermediate care services are provided.

The National Ambulance Service has been moving to a policy of dynamic deployment, where vehicles are strategically located where they are most likely to be required, rather than located at a particular station. In this regard, Louth can also be served by resources based at neighbouring counties. The adoption of a dynamic deployment approach was recommended in the National Ambulance Service Baseline and Capacity Review, published in 2016. The ambulance dispatch points were identified following an analysis of demand based on historical data from the regional control rooms. There are ongoing reviews of rosters and strategic deployments of ambulances in the region to ensure that deployed resources remain relevant to demand.

The baseline and capacity review also identified particular difficulties serving rural areas. The review indicated that the only practical way to improve first response times in rural areas is through voluntary community first responder, CFR, schemes. The National Ambulance Service continues to work with local CFR groups across the region to enhance services with eight CFR groups currently operating in County Louth.

The National Ambulance Service also works closely with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to provide a better and more responsive service for patients in Border counties, including County Louth. Co-operation is formalised in two memoranda of understanding signed in September 2019.

I note that the Senator seeks the provision of an adequate ambulance service, but I assure him that the Government aspires to the provision of a quality, responsive service. The National Ambulance Service has undergone a very significant process of modernisation in recent years, and a number of important service innovations and developments have taken place. The National Emergency Operations Centre has been established, where emergency calls are received and emergency resources are dispatched. The National Ambulance Service now has full visibility of all available paramedic resources and vehicles in real time, ensuring that the closest available resource is dispatched to an emergency.

Recent developments also include the development of alternative pathways to care. The Hear and Treat clinical hub went live in the National Emergency Operations Centre last year. This is an important service in that it diverts some lower acuity patients away from busy emergency departments and frees up emergency capacity. These initiatives are helping to improve the availability of ambulance resources throughout the country, including in north County Louth.

In each of the recent years, additional investment has been directed towards the National Ambulance Service. This year the National Ambulance Service budget has increased to an unprecedented €168.6 million which supports the National Ambulance Service to continue to deliver a high-quality service. I can confirm that in line with the Programme for a Partnership Government commitment, additional funds will be made available to the National Ambulance Service in 2020.