Jim Higgins
Ceist:302 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will approve a helicopter emergency medical service for the western region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8448/02]
Written Answers. - Emergency Medical Services.
The Deputy will be aware that under the Good Friday Agreement a number of areas were identified where North-South co-operation might be developed or enhanced. One of the working groups established to examine the area of planning for major emergencies – the cross Border pre-hospital emergency care working group – proposed the commissioning of an independent feasibility study on the costs and benefits associated with the introduction of a dedicated helicopter emergency medical service covering the island of Ireland. The proposal for the feasibility study was endorsed at the meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council on 16 November 2001.
The advertisement inviting tenders for the feasibility study appeared in national newspapers on 24 January 2002. The closing date for receipt of tenders was 14 February 2002. The tenders are currently being evaluated and the successful tenderer will be appointed shortly. It is anticipated that the study will be completed by June 2002. The terms of reference for the study require it to consider options for location of the service.
It should be acknowledged that a HEMS is only one element of an effective emergency medical care system. Proposals for the development of such a service fall to be considered in the wider context of developments in emergency medical services generally. Any new initiative in this area needs to complement other pre-hospital services such as ambulance services, first responder schemes and other emergency schemes.