Martin under fire over air ambulance study

A STUDY into a cross-border emergency helicopter service was criticised last night for its failure to identify the importance of giving immediate assistance to victims of accidents.

Fine Gael health spokesperson Olivia Mitchell said she found it “extraordinary” that the report did not recognise the importance of giving life-saving assistance such as that provided by “flying doctor” services.

At the same time, Health Minister Micheál Martin came under fire for his lukewarm reaction to the study, which has been broadly welcomed by emergency service professionals.