ARAN ISLANDS GP FAVOURS AER ARANN FOR PATIENT TRANSFER

Date Published: 18-Apr-2008

The Aran Islands GP, Dr. Marion Broderick, says the Aer Arann service to the mainland is the best option for transporting patients who are NOT seriously ill.The Health Service Executive has come under fire in recent days for its use of the Air Corps to transport patients who are not acutely ill.The Aer Arann flight, which takes 7 minutes costs 400 euro and lands at the airport in Inverin where patients are then brought to hospital by ambulance.It's understood enlisting the help of Air Corps Aircraft runs into the thousands.Dr. Broderick says the HSE has recommended that a helicopter from Baldonnell in Donegal be chartered to the islands in emergency circumstances.However, she says this could take longer and cost more than the Aer Arann flight.