The new aeromedical service operating from Rathcoole Aerodrome has been officially launched by Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney TD.
Cork North West Fine Gael General Election candidate Councillor John Paul O’Shea was present at the launch event in Rathcoole on Monday, September 2nd and said the service will help ensure that seriously ill or injured people in remote areas have more timely access to appropriate high-quality clinical care.
Cllr. O’Shea said: “It was terrific to have the Tánaiste present in Rathcoole to officially launch the aeromedical service, which has been operating now for a number of weeks. The service is part of the government’s long-term whole system approach to healthcare which seeks to ensure that the right care is delivered by the right person, in the right place, at the right time, a fundamental objective of Sláintecare. The Rathcoole Aerodrome is an excellent facility and the right location for this vital new service.”
The service is being delivered by the HSE National Ambulance Service, in partnership with the Irish Community Rapid Response. The charitably funded Helicopter Emergency Medical Service will operate from the Aerodrome; the charity will fund the aviation service while the Government, through the HSE, will provide the clinical staff i.e. an Advanced Paramedic and an Emergency Medical Technician and consumables. Additional resources of €250,000 have been made available to the National Ambulance Service to fund the additional manpower capacity required.
Cllr. O’Shea added: “The new service will significantly improve access to aeromedical services for people living in the south of the country, and will complement our very successful Emergency Aeromedical Service which operates in conjunction with the Irish Air Corps.
“I would like to acknowledge the Irish Community Rapid Response for their commitment to establish this service and for their ongoing work with local communities to raise funds to maintain service delivery.
“I would also like to acknowledge the National Ambulance Service for the very significant work which was undertaken to get this service to this stage.”
