AN ARRANMORE island nurse trained for the Co Donegal community’s new ambulance service became the first emergency patient when she was taken to hospital earlier this week.
Nora Flanagan, one of several volunteers for the new HSE-funded ambulance, said she never expected to be testing the system herself – “but it works perfectly”, she added.
Ms Flanagan developed anaphylactic shock as a result of an allergic response to an unidentified substance on Tuesday.
She was taken by the new ambulance to the island pier, where the Arranmore lifeboat transported her to Burtonport.
The lifeboat, commanded by coxswain Anton Kavanagh, was met by an ambulance from Dungloe which took her to Letterkenny hospital for treatment. Ms Flanagan has since made a full recovery.
The new ambulance, delivery of which was marked yesterday by Fianna Fáil North West MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher, was purchased for the island by the HSE after a long campaign.
The Donegal island’s roll-on roll-off ferry has also been enlisted as part of the island’s new emergency network, as it will be available on a 24-hour basis to transport the ambulance if required to the mainland.
Due to the time factor in this instance, Ms Flanagan was taken from the new ambulance by lifeboat.
Anaphylactic shock can prove fatal if left untreated.
She had been stabilised by the island’s relief GP, Dr Victoria Bradley, with the assistance of public health nurse Susan McGarvey. Dr Bradley monitored Ms Flanagan’s condition en route.
Ms Flanagan had completed a training course at the National Ambulance Training College in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, with Jane Murphy some weeks ago, and both are now equipped to respond to any emergency on a voluntary basis.
Twenty-two members of the island community have also volunteered to train as community first responders. This training equips them to administer cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and to use defibrillators. Voluntary fire crew have also signed up.
The extended emergency service for Arranmore aims to take pressure off the Irish Coast Guard air/sea rescue helicopter in Sligo and the island’s lifeboat station, which holds 18 awards for gallantry since it was established 125 years ago.
“I wanted to launch this ambulance myself, but this goes beyond dedication,” Ms Flanagan said. “It took just 12 minutes to get me from the GP clinic to the mainland, and then another 45 minutes by road to hospital. I just hope that Pat the Cope doesn’t think I stole his thunder!”