Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to a recent UK study presented recently at the Irish Medical Organisation conference which found a 1% increase in mortality with each 10 km increase in journey distances from hospitals; and the way she can reconcile the contents of that study with her proposals to close down local hospitals in favour of a centralised programme. [14211/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I am aware of the study to which the Deputy refers. It was carried out in the UK where a different system of health service delivery to our own is in operation. In addition, the data was also collected between 1997 and 2001. Therefore, changes in performance in recent years or new policies may have affected the suggested increase in the mortality rate.

The key issue in relation to distance from hospital and outcomes from acute events such as heart attacks is the quality and speed of delivery of pre-hospital emergency care. This is an area where there has been considerable investment and development in recent years. The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council, a statutory agency charged with responsibility for standards, education and training in the field of pre-hospital emergency care in Ireland, plays a key role in the area of new developments, promotion of research, emerging technology and advances in clinical practice. Among the Council's initiatives at present are:-

A spatial analysis study for each HSE region, the results of which will inform decisions on the optimum location for ambulance bases and the deployment arrangements necessary to minimise response times;

On-going co-operation with the HSE to facilitate a partnership in addressing many of the recommendations of the Sudden Cardiac Death Task Force Report, especially with regard to best practice in First Responder and Co-Responder schemes; and

Continuation of the roll-out of the Advanced Paramedic training programme.