Billy Timmins
Ceist:245 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to establish an air ambulance service; and, if so, where it would be located. [26576/98]
Written Answers. - Air Ambulance Service.
Since 1965 an arrangement has been in place whereby the Air Corps provides air ambulance transport to health boards for emergency cases. This service is generally provided in emergencies requiring the removal of badly injured or very ill persons over long distances, particularly where they cannot be safely conveyed by road ambulance. The service is also provided for the removal from the islands of persons requiring urgent hospital attention when weather conditions are such as to make boat transport impossible or hazardous to the patient. Since August 1991, the marine search and rescue helicopter service of the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, which operates from Shannon Airport, is also available for air ambulance transport in cases of emergency.
I am aware of the role which a dedicated air ambulance service could play in enhancing the effectiveness of the ambulance service. However, proposals for the development of an air ambulance service must be placed in the wider context of developments in emergency medical services generally and any initiative in this area must complement other pre-hospital resources such as the ambulance service and first responder programmes. The particular role of air ambulance was examined by the standing committee on air ambulance services. The standing committee undertook a detailed examination of a number of independent proposals for the establishment of a dedicated helicopter emergency medical service which were received from groups interested in this area. Meetings took place with a number of these groups.
Following these meetings, officials of my Department have worked with other interested parties to clarify a number of issues regarding needs, costs and benefits deriving from having a dedicated and purpose-equipped air ambulance service. I remain committed to further improving pre-hospital care services and I have allocated an additional £2.7 million for developments in the field of pre-hospital care in 1999. This funding represents the largest ever increase in resources for this area and will assist considerably in improving emergency medical services.