Portiuncula University Hospital spent €307,000 on private ambulances last year, it was revealed this week.
This service is used when the HSE is unable to provide public ambulances due to emergencies or urgent requests, a recent meeting of the health authority's regional health forum was told at Merlin Park Hospital.
Ann Cosgrove, the chief operations officer of the Saolta University Health Care Group, outlined that private ambulances are used for appointments, treatments, and procedures in tertiary centres.
They are also used for the transport of patients who need to be stretchered from hospital to nursing homes.
She was responding to a question raised by Ballinasloe Fine Gael councillor Aisling Dolan who asked Saolta to outline the costs relating to private ambulance services, particularly for Portiuncula Hospital. She also inquired about what percentage or level of transport costs are covered by the private sector compared with the HSE's ambulance service.
Ms Cosgrove stated that Saolta did not have this data available.
