A new "walk-in" hyperbaric chamber, which can treat not only divers' decompression sickness ("the bends") but also victims of smoke inhalation and patients with ulcers and gangrene, is to be established in Galway later this year by the Western Health Board (WHB) and the Department of Health and Children.
The decision to approve £250,000 for the unit was taken at a recent WHB meeting, following an intensive campaign by Comhairle Fo-Thuinn (CFT), the Irish Underwater Council.
Earlier this year CFT highlighted the need to replace the chamber at University College Hospital, Galway (UCHG), one of only two such facilities in the State, the second being the Naval Service's chamber at Haulbowline. It pointed out that increased marine activity was placing greater demands on the existing facility, which has been run for 25 years at UCHG on a voluntary basis by hospital consultants and Galway Sub-Aqua Club.
Hyperbaric treatment allows patients to breathe 100 per cent oxygen at greater pressures than normal, and is best known as a remedy for decompression sickness in divers. However, it is used by successful sports organisations, like Manchester United and Celtic, to treat sports injuries.
It can also enhance healing, when used alone or in a combination with other medical and surgical procedures, in cases of acute carbon monoxide poisoning; cerebral arterial gas embolism; gas gangrene; hypoxic wounds or problem diabetic wounds; exceptional blood loss anaemia; soft tissue infections; radiation tissue injury; chronic osteomyelitis; and thermal burns.
CFT is delighted at news of the decision, and has paid tribute to the "hard work, support and dedication" of the WHB chief executive, Dr Sheelah Ryan, and her staff. CFT, which represents over 80 scuba diving and snorkelling clubs throughout the entire island, has also given credit to Dr Noel Flynn, a UCHG consultant and member of Galway SubAqua Club; the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey; and the Minister of State for Health and Children, Dr Tom Moffatt.
Meanwhile, Dr Moffatt's own constituents in the west are among supporters of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) campaign, led by a Mayo GP, Dr Jerry Cowley.
At last week's HEMS delegation meeting with the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, Dr Cowley pointed out that £6 million would be available towards such a project under a proposed Business Expansion Scheme. His group proposes setting up "flying doctor" bases in Knock, Dublin, Cork and Belfast.
Late last week the existing emergency helicopter network was given a boost with the renewal of the west coast contract for Shannon by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey.
Bond Helicopters will run it for the Irish Coastguard for another five years. The medium-lift service on both west and east coasts now also extends inland, since responsibility for inland waterway safety was taken over by the Minister's Department last year.
However, Mr Fahey's colleague, the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, has identified the need for a long-term State commitment to the emergency services. He is now seeking tenders for up to five new medium-lift helicopters for the Air Corps. At least two of these will be for search-and-rescue, when commissioned in several years' time.