Written answers

Tuesday, 19 May 2009

Department of Defence

Ambulance Service

12:00 pm

Photo of Pat BreenPat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 339: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on the use of the Air Corps to provide an air ambulance service in the mid-west region, particularly in the peripheral areas of west Clare; if he has held discussions with the Health Service Executive regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20038/09]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Health & Children is responsible for policy formation in respect of pre-hospital emergency care, and the Health Service Executive has statutory responsibility for the provision of ambulance services throughout the State.

A detailed Service Level Agreement was put in place in 2005 between my Department and the Department of Health and Children to formalise the arrangements for the existing service in relation to the provision of an air ambulance service by the Air Corps. The signatories to the agreement are the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Defence, the Health Service Executive, the Defence Forces and the Air Corps. The Service Level Agreement sets out the range of services to be provided by the Air Corps, specifically emergency inter-hospital transfers for spinal and serious injuries and illnesses, air transport of neonates requiring immediate medical intervention within Ireland, air transport of patients requiring organ transplants in the UK, air transport of Organ Retrieval Teams within Ireland and air transport of patients from offshore islands to mainland hospitals where the Irish Coast Guard service is not available. The service provided under the Service Level Agreement covers the whole of the State including West Clare.

There have been no discussions between my Department and the Health Service Executive regarding the provision of an air ambulance service dedicated specifically to the mid west region.

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