Air Ambulance Service Provision

Tuesday, 23 April 2013

Questions (575, 620, 621)

Denis Naughten

Question:

575. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the current status of the aeromedical review; when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18377/13]

View answer

620. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the criteria under which the evaluation of the Aero Medical Service Review will be conducted; if the review will independently evaluate the effectiveness of the Air Ambulance Service as an emergency response service for all patients who are in life threatening situations; if there is provision to consult with stakeholders on the review criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18748/13]

View answer

Denis Naughten

Question:

621. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will include patient representatives and an external accident and emergency consultant who has experience of aero medical services as part of the aero medical service review team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18750/13]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 575, 620 and 621 together.

In cooperation with my colleague Alan Shatter, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, I decided in March 2012 to carry out an emergency aeromedical support (EAS) service pilot project. The pilot, which involves the Irish Air Corps and the HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS), was established to obtain operational and clinical data for this type of service in an Irish context, in order to inform policy decisions on the future provision of such services. A review of the pilot is being carried out by the EAS Audit and Evaluation Group, comprising representatives from the NAS, including its Medical Director, the Air Corps and the Departments of Health and Defence, as required by the Memorandum of Understanding between the departments which established the pilot. The review is focussed on data in relation to operational issues and clinical outcomes arising from the pilot, with a view to agreeing recommendations, in the event that a decision is made to provide this type of service, on how best to proceed. The Group's report is expected to be completed before the end of the pilot. I will consider its recommendations at that time.