Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

169. To ask the Minister for Health the number of times an on duty private ambulance has been involved in an accident while on duty in each of the years since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31877/17]

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

170. To ask the Minister for Health the number of times an on duty private ambulance has experienced mechanical difficulties while on duty, including ambulances that are on duty but cannot leave their starting location due to mechanical difficulties and had to be removed from duty as a result in each year since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31878/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 together.

While the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) has oversight of private ambulances from a clinical perspective, there is no requirement on private ambulance providers to report on operational incidents such as a mechanical failure. In these circumstances, I am not in a position to provide the information requested by the Deputy.

However, the Deputy may wish to note that as part of the annual approval process, private ambulance companies are required to report on adverse events within the previous 12 months. Any adverse incident involving the care of a patient must be included in this annual report to the PHECC.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

171. To ask the Minister for Health the number of complaints lodged by persons regarding private ambulances in each year since 2010; the way in which this compares with complaints lodged by persons regarding public ambulances in each year since 2010, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31879/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) received one complaint in respect of an approved ambulance provider in this timeframe. The complaint was examined and the company in question was issued with a safety notice to address immediate concerns, and to address other issues in the short to medium term. The company has since ceased trading and is no longer PHECC approved.

PHECC have received three complaints regarding statutory ambulance services. These complaints have been investigated and any issues arising have been addressed. However, as some complaints regarding the National Ambulance Service may have been made directly to the HSE, I have asked the Executive to reply directly to you on this matter.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

172. To ask the Minister for Health the number of fatalities that have occurred to persons being transported by private ambulances; if there were questions regarding treatment and equipment in each year since 2010, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31880/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am advised by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council, that as part of the annual approval process, private ambulance companies are required to report on adverse events within the previous 12 months. In that context, to date, no private ambulance company has reported a fatality.