Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
530. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the current national procedures governing the handover of patients from National Ambulance Service crews to hospital emergency departments; whether ambulances are required to remain at hospital sites until handover and transfer of clinical responsibility is formally completed, including where delays are prolonged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5268/26]
View answer531. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health whether ambulances awaiting delayed patient handover at hospital emergency departments are considered unavailable for emergency callouts during that period; whether any policy or operational protocol exists to allow for crew substitution or redeployment of the ambulance while handover is completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5269/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 530 and 531 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
