Ambulance and Transport Services

Information

In Ireland, there are three types of ambulance services available:

• Public health ambulance and transport services.
• Private ambulance and transport services.
• Volunteer ambulance services.

In the public health service, the Health Service Executive (HSE) may provide ambulance services for transporting seriously ill people to hospital or between hospitals. Ambulance services as part of the emergency services are contactable by telephoning 999 or 112. (The 112 number applies throughout the EU). All calls are free.

Rules

In the public health service, the Health Service Executive provide ambulance services for transporting seriously ill people to hospitals or between hospitals. In Dublin, the Dublin Fire Brigade provides an emergency ambulance service for the greater Dublin area. Part of the Health Service Executive (formerly known as the Eastern Regional Health Authority) also has its own ambulance services, (which operate from the same control room), however, the two ambulance services are not integrated. The ambulance service is limited to day hospitals, workshops, learning disability centres, renal dialysis units and external hospital clinics. Some Health Service Executive Areas provide transport services to hospitals for out-patient appointments and day centres. This is frequently done under contract to private transport operators. On occasion, the Health Service Executive (HSE) may assist with transport costs for a person who has to travel a long distance to a hospital. The situation varies considerably from one part of the HSE to another and, in many cases, is dependent on personal circumstances. There is no clear right to an ambulance service. Generally, ambulances are used when the emergency services are called. For non-emergencies, the use of an ambulance is usually a medical decision. In general, people who do not have medical cards may be charged for the service. The practice varies between the HSE and charges may be waived in certain cases (i.e., hardship), etc.

Private ambulance services

There are a number of private ambulance services, including air ambulance services in existence. You call them and pay for their services in the normal commercial manner. On occasion, they may be brought in by the HSE to help with emergencies, in which case, charges for their services are paid by the HSE.

Volunteer ambulance services

There are also a number of volunteer ambulance organisations. They are generally used to provide immediate assistance at public events.

Rates

Unless you have a medical card, you may be charged for ambulance services. However, the practice varies between parts of the and charges may be waived in certain cases (i.e., hardship), etc. Private ambulance services are commercial. You telephone them and pay for their services in the normal commercial manner.

How to apply

Ambulance services as part of the emergency services are contactable by telephoning 999 or 112. (The 112 number applies throughout the EU). Voluntary and private ambulance services are normally listed in the public telephone directory.

Where to apply

Dublin Fire Brigade Ambulance Service

Townsend StreetDublin, IrelandTel:+353 (0)1 6778221Fax:+353 (0)1 6778229

Most HSE ambulance personnel are trained in the:

National Ambulance Training School (NATS)

St. Mary’s HospitalPhoenix Park, IrelandTel:+353 (0)1 6719392Email: nats@indigo.ieVolunteer ambulance services

St John Ambulance Brigade of Ireland

Lumsden House29 Upper Leeson StreetDublin 4, IRELANDTel:(01) 6688077

Order Of Malta Ambulance Corps

32 Clyde RoadDublin, IrelandWeb: www.orderofmalta.ie

Irish Red Cross Society

16 Merrion SquareDublin, IrelandWeb: www.redcross.ieEmail: redcross@iol.ie

Civil Defence Ambulance Corps

Civil Defence CollegeBenamore, RoscreaTipperary,Ireland