Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 October 2021
326. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport the number of helicopter emergency medical services-related calls provided on a monthly basis by a company (details supplied) as part of the overall contract; if this number is capped; if there are additional costs per tasking charged to the State over and above any cap that might exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50633/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish Coast Guard (IRCG) helicopters, on a request and availability basis, provide aeromedical support to the HSE. Services include inter-hospital transfers, Island Medevacs, Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) and UK Paediatric transfers. The Aero Medical desk at NEOC is responsible for assessing the requirements for aeromedical services.
The majority of mission requests relate to single patient transfers. Irish Coast Guard helicopters provide day and night-time aeromedical services to the offshore islands. Coast Guard Helicopter crews operate a 24-hr shift pattern commencing at 1300 each day. Aero medical services (other than island medevacs) are available up to 2300 each day after which Helo crews must avail of mandatory rest periods for any missions other than SAR related. Services to HSE may resume at 0730 on the following day provided the crews have had uninterrupted rest from 2100 on the previous evening.
Under existing arrangements IRCG is the sole provider of HEMS services outside of Daylight hours. In terms of cost sharing, twelve missions per month are provided Free of Charge and flying hours are charged for any additional missions. For all UK pediatric transfers – ancillary costs and flying hours are charged to HSE.
Coast Guard helicopters conducted an average of 43 flights per month on behalf of HSE i.e. 386 flights in total to end of September. This number includes 125 Island medevacs, 234 other flights including HEMS and inland SAR, two emergency pediatric transfer to the UK, and 25 inter hospital transfers.
