Air ambulance service for west extended by 3 months
Galway bay fm news
The Department of Defence has committed to extend the Air Corps' participation in the west of Ireland pilot emergency aeromedical service.
Minister for Defence Alan Shatter says the air ambulance service, based at Custume Barracks in Athlone, will continue for another three months.
This is to allow consideration to a report of the pilot which is currently being finalised by an inter-service audit and evaluation group.
A 12 month pilot service was established last June in order to assess the level and type, if any, of dedicated aeronautical support needed to assist the national ambulance service, primarily in the west of Ireland.
It has so far carried out 285 missions, the equivalant of one call out every day.
245 missions were completed by the Air Corps, with a further 40 missions completed by the Irish Coast guard using its fleet of search and rescue helicopters. Speaking to FYI Galway, Roscommon - South Leitrim TD Denis Naughten says while he welcomes the extention of the service, it should also be expanded