THE HSE HAS spent millions on private ambulances in the west of the country, according to new figures.
The six hospitals in the Saolta Hospital Group have spent roughly €5.6 million operating these vehicles since the start of 2013.
Independent TD Denis Naughten, who requested the figures from the HSE, said this is the despite the group establishing a hospital transport service for patients two years ago.
This consists of vehicles known as intermediate care vehicles manned by emergency medical technicians (EMTs), allowing ambulances to respond to emergency calls rather than being tied-up with patient transfers.
“The reason for establishing this service was to assist the Saolta Hospital Group in transporting patients between hospitals such as Galway University Hospitals, Portiuncula, Mayo General, Sligo General and Letterkenny General,” Naughten explained.
However, this does not seem to be happening because instead of the cost of using private ambulances decreasing, it has instead increased following the introduction of the new service.
“The hospitals have forked out €2.2m in 2014 and have already spent in excess of €1.25m in the first five months of 2015.”
Naughten said the money could have bought an additional 28 ICVs.
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