Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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210. To ask the Minister for Health his actions in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4742/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Firstly I would like to extend my sympathies to the family of the person concerned.

In response to the Deputy's previous question regarding this matter, PQ 53299/13 of 11th December 2013, the Deputy was provided with a full report by the HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS), which outlined the Service's response to the emergency call. This report also outlined the NAS review of the call, setting out that it was triaged correctly, that the nearest available resources were dispatched and that the call was handled appropriately.

The Health Information and Quality Authority, as part of its Business Plan for 2014, and in line with its programme for the monitoring of the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare, will review governance and management arrangements for pre-hospital emergency care services. This review will include call-handling, response, assessment, diagnosis, care and transportation of the acutely ill patient to the appropriate healthcare facility. The review had been due to commence in the 2nd quarter of 2014. However, in light of a number of recent incidents, I requested that the Authority bring this review forward and it was agreed to commence the review in quarter 1. I understand that the review will focus initially on the governance arrangements for the service and how those arrangements translate into the safety, quality and effectiveness of services for patients.

I would also like to inform the Deputy that the NAS is undertaking its own capacity review to determine current and future service delivery needs. This process will examine a number of areas, including staff numbers and skill mix, as well as resource distribution.