Opposition senator Rev. Leonard Santucci said he was worried about the availability of emergency vehicles to the hospital when he spoke during the Health debate on Friday.

Sen. Santucci said that the Ministry of Health and Family Services was an umbrella under which almost everyone in Bermuda fell under, a Ministry many are involved with "from the point of conception to the grave", or from the "womb to the tomb" as suggested by Senate President Alfred Oughton.

Reverend Santucci said that despite the Ministry of Health and Family Services receiving the largest proportion of this year's Budget cash, he had heard that there were not enough ambulances available.

Sen. Santucci praised Government senator Walter Roban for "his fine, detailed presentation, that left him with time to respond to questions".

Sen. Roban replied by saying there were four ambulances presently at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. The Bermuda Fire Service also has one ambulance at its disposal.

Senator Roban concluded by saying that the hospital was not aware of any issue regarding the availability of emergency services.

Taken for a ride

Senator Larry Mussenden said 3.7 million people rode the buses last year, and Government was introducing computerised bus schedules which could also eventually include ferry schedules.

Opposition Senator Leonard Santucci asked what was happening to 16 buses which were were being taken out of service and questioned if they were being given to Cuba.

He said Government should look at lowering fares if it wanted to tempt more people off the roads and onto buses and ferries.