Seirbhís Náisiúnta Otharcharranna Teach Dara, Ascaill an Crann Teile Páirc na Mílaoise Nás na Rí, Co. Chill Dara W91 KDC2 National Ambulance Service Oak House, Millennium Park Naas, Co. Kildare W91 KDC2 Tel/Fón: 045 882579 Fax/Facs: 1890 252 125 Email/Riomhphost: [email protected] 9th February 2018 Ms Catherine Connolly TD Dáil Éireann Leinster House Dublin 2 Re: PQ 3590/18: To ask the Minister for Health the action being taken in relation to the inadequate ambulance service in Connemara, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Dear Deputy Connolly, The Health Service Executive has been requested to reply directly to you in the context of the above Parliamentary Question, which you submitted to the Minister for Health for response. Pre-hospital Emergency Care begins the moment the 112/999 call is received in the NAS National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), NEOC call takers provide emergency instructions to all callers before the NAS resources arrive. The NEOC also utilises an Advanced Medical Priority System which utilises international standards and protocols to triage 112/999 calls in order to prioritise life threatening situations which ensures the nearest available NAS resource is dispatched to the incident while lower priority incidents may have to wait. It should be noted that achieving response times in rural settings is always a difficult task for any ambulance system and often requires extensive investment in additional resources coupled with extensive community based first responder schemes. The National Ambulance Service continues to work also with local Community First Responders (CFR) Groups across the country and this area to enhance its service and values greatly their continued commitment and support. In County Galway there are 13 Community First Responder Groups linked to the NAS with a further 13 groups in training. In the Connemara area there are four CFR groups; Croiline Cois Fharraige (Spiddal to Carraroe), Leenane/Maam, Moycullen and Littermullan. The NAS is also supported by the Emergency Aeromedical Service. This service was established in 2012 by the NAS and the Irish Air Corps and is based at Custume Barracks in Athlone. This service greatly reduces the travel time to critically ill or injured patients as well as reducing the travel time to hospital. Helicopter support is also provided to the NAS by the Irish Coastguard. I trust this information is of assistance to you and should you require additional information please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours sincerely, Oliver Reilly Asst Chief Ambulance Officer .