Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 November 2004
109 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress she has made in the establishment of an all-Ireland helicopter emergency medical service as recommended by the HEMS feasibility study consultants report which was published on 30 April 2004; if she has completed discussions with other Ministers on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28637/04]
View answerMy Department and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Belfast, DHSSPS, 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 concluded the introduction of a dedicated inter-hospital transfer service would be appropriate in an all-island context. The study indicates that this would involve significant capital investment and annual operating costs. The report identified this cost at €12 million capital and €4 million revenue for a single helicopter. Additional helicopters could be added with an additional annual cost for each aircraft of over €3 million.
Inter-hospital air ambulance services are currently provided to the health boards by the Air Corps and the Irish Coast Guard on a request and availability basis. The service is provided subject to the nature of the mission, available aircraft and other operational commitments. Most patient transfers are airport to airport with onward transfer by land ambulance.
My Department and the Department of Defence are currently finalising a service level agreement to formalise arrangements for the future provision of an air ambulance service by the Aer Corps. A significant helicopter fleet replacement programme is being put in place for the Aer Corps. My Department is advised that tenders for six new helicopters have been received and are currently being considered. Each of the new helicopters will have a specific air ambulance capability and will be made available under the terms of the service level agreement.
In addition, my Department has met with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources who have confirmed that the Irish Coast Guard will continue to provide services on the same basis as heretofore.
My Department is advised that plans are being actively developed within the voluntary sector for the introduction of a dedicated HEMS, primarily in an inter-hospital transfer role and with a view to the service becoming operational in 2005. My Department will closely monitor developments in this regard over the coming months.
