John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 260: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that ambulance drivers in the Dublin area must fill out a patient care report; her views on whether the information required on this report is too comprehensive and imposes a huge burden on ambulance drivers; and if she will raise this matter with the Health Service Executive or other relevant bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31869/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Department of Health and Children has been advised that following wide consultation, and with support from the chief ambulance officers of the former health boards, the patient report form that is in use by the ambulance sector in the Dublin area was produced by the chief fire officer of Dublin Fire Brigade, SIPTU, ATGWU and the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council, which is the association of ambulance personnel. The council's principal remit is the development of standards in pre-hospital emergency care and the accreditation of institutions which provide training to ambulance personnel.

The purpose of the form is to provide accurate, robust and timely data on the continuum of care to the patient between the pre-hospital emergency care provider and the receiving health care professionals in hospitals. The Department has been advised by the council that the information collected is similar to that collected by other pre-hospital emergency care services around the world, including those in the UK, USA and Australia. The Department has referred the Deputy's question to the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council for a more detailed reply.