Vol. 503 No. 5
25 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the changes which have taken place in the ambulance services in the South-Eastern Health Board area are causing hardship to patients in County Waterford; if he will examine the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10535/99]
The provision of ambulance services in the South-Eastern Health Board region is a matter for the health board management in the first instance. I understand from the South-Eastern Health Board that a full emergency ambulance service is provided to patients in County Waterford. It is understood that recent changes in practice in the deployment of ambulances in the county have been aimed at ensuring that an emergency ambulance on duty is available to respond quickly to calls in the area that it is scheduled to serve. The effective and efficient use of ambulance vehicles in this manner is crucial to providing a satisfactory emergency service to people in need.
As regards transferring patients home from hospital, an ambulance can be requested for this purpose through the normal channels if it is deemed necessary by the medical staff at Waterford Regional Hospital. In addition, I understand that any requests for ambulance transport on hardship grounds are considered sympathetically, on their merits, by the South-Eastern Health Board.
