Hospital trial run for Coast Guard helicopters

COAST GUARD helicopters may be deployed to transport critically ill patients to hospitals as part of a new trial planned for Co Clare later this year.

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey told the Dáil talks were under way about the possibility of an “aeromedical trial” taking place in west Clare.

He said that as part of this initiative Coast Guard helicopters might be deployed in certain life-critical circumstances to assist the national HSE ambulance service. If the trial is successful, the new service could be extended to other areas along the west coast.

In response to a parliamentary question from Fine Gael TD, Pat Breen, last week, Mr Dempsey said it was hoped that the trial in west Clare might commence in the middle of this year.

However, he warned that it was not intended for the Coast Guard to provide a full-time air ambulance service – a helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) – which some campaigners have been pressing for.

Under HEMS, dedicated helicopters are held on standby to deploy doctors or paramedics to treat or recover sick and injured people in response to emergency calls.

“The Department maintains search and rescue [SAR] helicopters on permanent readiness at four bases for maritime emergency response, including two on the west coast in Shannon and Sligo,” said Mr Dempsey.

“These helicopters are principally employed for marine emergencies but they are occasionally used for land- based rescue tasks where other rescue agencies require assistance, as recently witnessed during the spell of severe weather, and in remote areas where the distance to hospital and a long ambulance journey would be a significant threat to a patient.

“However, the Coast Guard could not support a normal HEMS service with its SAR helicopters as this would reduce their availability for their primary task of providing helicopter marine emergency services on our coasts and waters.”

Mr Dempsey said the new trial would be subject to a review by both the HSE and the Coast Guard to consider its effectiveness and value.

“It is envisaged at this time that the additional flying hours on the Shannon Coast Guard helicopter can be accommodated within this machine’s current monthly training and operational flying allowance,” he said.

“If the west Clare trial is successful, it is hoped to extend the service to other areas along the west coast,” he added.