Written answers
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Department of Health and Children
Ambulance Service
8:00 am
Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that a significant number of ambulances are out of service for several hours at a time due to their trolleys being used for patients in accident and emergency; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that on 25 May 2010 eight Dublin fire brigade ambulances were detained at the Mater Hospital, Dublin 1, one of which was tied up for more than seven hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25770/10]
Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will address the situation whereby ambulances are frequently left waiting for hours outside the Mater and Beaumont hospitals, Dublin, because they cannot retrieve their trolleys; the strain and potential danger that this puts on the service when ambulances are not available for other emergencies which also causes pressure on the fire brigade service; if she will ensure that this potentially dangerous situation is addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26305/10]
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 180 together.
The emergency ambulance service in the Greater Dublin Area is provided by Dublin City Council in the first instance. When operational circumstances so require, the HSE National Ambulance Service provides supplementary capacity to ensure that the necessary cover is maintained. Where necessary, this involves the use of available ambulance resources from other counties in the region. Staff and management take specific measures to ensure ambulance cover is maintained, with patient safety the utmost priority. This is what happened on 25th May last. On that day
Delays at the Mater Hospital occurred at 4.30pm. After contact from the HSE Liaison Officer, all vehicles, but one, were released rapidly.
At 8.30pm, there were eight ambulances held. The eight ambulances comprised six of the Dublin Fire Brigade's total of eleven, and two HSE vehicles.
The National Ambulance Service liaison immediately addressed the situation, including consultation with the Emergency Department Staff, CEO on call and the nursing administration.
By 9.30pm, four ambulances were released. By 10.30pm, all ambulances were available.
One ambulance was at the hospital in excess of six hours, owing to the clinical circumstances of the particular patient concerned.
The HSE is in discussion with the major Dublin hospitals with a view to identifying safe and effective measures which will help to minimise the period for which emergency ambulances are held at hospitals after arriving with patients.
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