Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 February 2013
148. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Defence when the assessment of the air ambulance service at Custume Barracks, Athlone, County Westmeath, will take place; if he will acknowledge the serivce it has provided since its launch in June 2011; if the service will be continued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6461/13]
View answerA twelve-month pilot Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service was established by agreement between my Department and the Department of Health for Air Corps support to the Health Service Executive National Ambulance Service. The purpose of the pilot is to assess the level and type, if any, of dedicated emergency aeromedical support needed to assist the National Ambulance Service in the west of Ireland for certain types of patient, particularly in light of the requirements of the HSE Clinical Care Programmes such as Acute Coronary Syndrome and Stroke.
The service commenced on 4 June 2012 and it is operated by the Air Corps out of Custume Barracks, Athlone. A full evaluation of the EAS service will be undertaken by the stakeholders within three months of the end of the pilot programme (June 2013) and submitted for consideration by my colleague the Minister for Health.
