Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 December 2004
88 Mr. Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if proposals are being considered for an air ambulance to cover the midland region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32699/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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 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 the Department's website. The study concluded that the introduction of a dedicated inter-hospital transfer service would be appropriate in an all-island context. It indicated 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.
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 Air Corps. A significant helicopter fleet replacement programme is being put in place for the Air Corps. In this regard the Department is advised that the Minister for Defence has authorised his Department to open negotiations for the acquisition of six new helicopters for the Air Corps. 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. The new fleet will also have a far greater flying capacity than is available currently.
In addition, the Department has met with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources which has confirmed that the Irish Coast Guard will continue to provide services on the same basis as heretofore.
Finally, the Department is advised that plans are being 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. The Department will closely monitor developments in this regard over the coming months.
