Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 519: To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on an incident (details supplied) regarding waiting time for an ambulance; the steps being taken to address such a situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28794/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The National Ambulance Service has examined the matter and confirmed to me the following details in relation to this incident.

An emergency call was received at 1716 on Sunday 7 August and an emergency ambulance was mobilised in less than three minutes. The incident was approximately 25 km from Roscommon Ambulance Station and the ambulance arrived at the scene at 17.45, giving a response time of 29 minutes. The patient was treated and stabilised at the scene by the paramedic crew and a general practitioner and at 18.00 the ambulance continued its journey to University Hospital Galway, arriving at 19.10. Upon arrival at the emergency department, the patient was seen by the consultant surgeon and prepared for surgery. The patient entered the operating theatre 15 minutes later, at 19.25, and was discharged from theatre at 20.30.

In a letter to the Regional Director, the Clinical Director of Acute Services, Dr David O'Keefe, acknowledged the vital role that the paramedics and ambulance service played in dealing with the patient's very serious injuries.