The National Legislative Assembly is considering overhauling laws governing the country’s emergency medical-response system following criticism a hospital was slow to send an ambulance to pick up late former prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa.
NLA vice-president Surachai Liangboonlertchai said on Tuesday that a committee met with representatives from six private organisations representing the medical, media and transport sectors to discuss challenges in providing timely emergency response and how to make it more efficient.
Those participating initially agreed to focus on solving problems related to access to high-risk patients and delays in transportation of patients to hospitals.
Mr Surachai said the assembly will review three laws governing emergency medical services, land transport and building controls to determine whether they need updated.
In the long-term, the National Reform Council, which previously produced a report on the issue, would take the lead on working with other agencies to reform the entire emergency-response system, he added.
Banharn died April 23 after a severe asthma attack. He was 83. Local media reported that slow response and poor communication among medical personnel delayed transport from his home to Siriraj Hospital, where he arrived 30 minutes after authorities were called.