A trial helicopter service for medical emergencies in West Clare could lead to an extension of the project.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey says talks are underway about the possibility of using coastguard helicopters to assist in the transport of medical emergencies from isolated areas in West Clare.
It’s hoped a trial run of the proposed service would be up and running by the middle of this year.
The proposed scheme, to be run on a trial basis in West Clare, would see coast guard helicopters transport patients from isolated areas of the county to hospital – in cases where the distance to a hospital and a long ambulance trip would pose a threat to the patient.
Clare Fine Gael TD Pat Breen has raised the issue with the Transport Minister in the Dáil
In response Noel Dempsey said helicopters may be deployed in life critical circumstances and to assist the HSE ambulance service, however their primary role will remain as marine emergency services.
The service will be reviewed by both the HSE and the Coast Guard to gauge it’s effectiveness and it’s hoped the trial run will begin in West Clare by the middle of this year.
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