Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2004
64 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has plans to progress with the implementation of a helicopter emergency medical service for the island of Ireland following the recent report that was published by his Department and the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18426/04]
View answer83 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress to date of consultations that have taken place between his Department, the Department of Defence and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources concerning the introduction of a helicopter emergency medical service for the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18428/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 83 together.
My Department and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Belfast, commissioned a feasibility study and report on the costs and benefits associated with the introduction of a dedicated helicopter emergency medical services, HEMS, for the island of Ireland.
The decision to commission the study followed a recommendation by a cross-Border working group on pre-hospital emergency care, one of a number of groups established under the North-South Ministerial Council to examine areas of North-South co-operation in the health field.
The report of the consultants appointed to undertake the study was published on 30 April 2004 and is available on my Department's website. The study identifies possible roles for a helicopter emergency medical service, HEMS: primary response — travelling directly to the scene of an incident to take the patient to hospital; and inter-hospital response — the planned, rapid transfer between hospital of patients requiring specialist care, escorted by skilled professionals.
The study concludes that an inter-hospital transfer service would be the most appropriate in an all-island context. The study indicates that this would involve significant capital investment and annual operating costs. The estimated cost is €12 million capital and €4 million annual operating costs for a single helicopter. Additional helicopters could be added with an additional annual cost for each aircraft of over €3 million.
An air ambulance service is currently provided to the health boards by the Air Corps on a request and availability basis. The Air Corps provides this service subject to the nature of the mission, available aircraft and other operational commitments. Air Corps helicopters operate from airports and, where available and deemed safe, hospital helipads. Most transfers are airport to airport with onward transfer by land ambulance. The service is well regarded and appreciated by those in the health service who avail of it.
My Department is exploring options in relation to HEMS development in the light of the recent study. As part of this exercise, it has initiated discussions with the Department of Defence and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and the Irish Coast Guard.
