This article is from page 3 of the 2011-01-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
A HELICOPTER charged with bringing critically ill patients from west Clare to hospital is now a possibility, although it is unlikely to satisfy all health campaigners.
When the 24-hour accident and emergency services closed at Ennis General Hospital in April 2009, protesters warned of the dangers to the people of the west, who were hours from the nearest Centre of Excellence, and outside the Golden Hour in the case of heart attacks and strokes.
Many even suggested that the only safe and quick way to get seriously ill or injured patients to proper medical help in time was by helicopter.
Almost two years on and that wish could become a reality as former Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey announced that coast guard helicopters may be deployed to transport critically ill patients to hospitals.
This is to be part of a trial in Clare later this year.
The service will not be a full-time air ambulance service – a helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) – which many campaigners have been calling for.
The Minister, who resigned shortly afterwards, told the Dáil talks were under way about the possibility of an “aero medical trial” taking place in west Clare.
If the trial is successful, the new service could be extended to other areas along the west coast.
In response to a parliamentary question from Fine Gael TD Pat Breen he said it was hoped that the trial in west Clare might commence in the middle of this year.
“The Department maintains search and rescue [SAR] helicopters on permanent readiness at four bases for maritime emergency response, including two on the west coast in Shannon and Sligo,” said Mr Dempsey.
He continued, “These helicopters are principally employed for marine emergencies but they are occasionally used for land-based rescue tasks where other rescue agencies require assistance, as recently witnessed during the spell of severe weather, and in remote areas where the distance to hospital and a long ambulance journey would be a significant threat to a patient.
“However, the Coast Guard could not support a normal HEMS service with its SAR helicopters as this would reduce their availability for their primary task of providing helicopter marine emergency services on our coasts and waters.”
He added the new trial would be subject to a review by both the HSE and the Coast Guard to consider its effectiveness and value.