Sir, – On March 22nd, the Minister for Health helped launch a new air ambulance service in Ireland at Weston Airport. Since then, this Irish jet air ambulance has been busy providing transport for sick patients.
Our mission is to provide support to those who become ill or injured and will benefit from aeromedical transportation. We are 100 per cent focused on emergency medical evacuation and repatriation: it is our core business. We utilise a Cessna 550 Citation II fixed-wing air ambulance registered EI-MED; we are ready and willing to assist if called upon and our aircraft is available.
Information regarding this service was promulgated widely to all bodies within the State and to Emergency Medical Support Services (EMSS) who have involvement in transportation of patients.
On the day in question when Meadhbh McGivern so sadly missed an opportunity for transplant surgery (Front page, August 13th) , our aircraft and flying crew were available and in a position to dispatch had we received a call in a timely fashion. We did not receive any contact from anybody.
We very much hope that Meadhbh McGivern will be offered a transplant in the near future and that the transfer will go ahead without issue. If we can assist in any way we will do so. In the longer term, a public-private sector model is worthy of consideration to make the most of Irish based assets in support of our community. – Yours, etc,