No 473
Monday, 10th June, 2013
Tel: 96 673 0057
AMBULANCE CUTS GATHER PACE
The next stage of “remodelling” of the government funded ambulance service, those effectively operated as part of the National Health, comes into force on the 1st of July, with a rationalisation that political opposition groups feel will cost lives, but pave the way for more private ambulances, at a direct cost to the patient.
The difference between the three main types of ambulances lies in the team of professionals who are on board, which subsequently defines the cost of each unit. The SAMU (Servicio de Atención Médica de Urgencia), are the only emergency vehicles that have full teams of physicians, nurses and technicians, therefore capable of dealing with more serious situations. The monthly cost varies from between 16,672 euro for a vehicle in a 12-hour shift, the averContinued on Page 2