Cork’s first flying doctor service bids for take off

PLANS are advancing to set up a vital flying doctor service in west Cork.

Project promoters believe that the use of a fixed wing plane could take less than 30 minutes to get a patient from the atlantic island of Cape Clear to Cork University Hospital — instead of three hours by sea and road.

They have identified a number of possible airstrip bases between Skibbereen and Bantry. The group is looking at the acquisition of a fixed wing aircraft, although a helicopter has not been ruled out.

Two experienced pilots Seán Mulqueen and John Kearney have volunteered to fly the aircraft. It is hoped to establish a number of landing strips in different parts of the region and on the islands.

A committee has been formed consisting of GPs, businessmen and pilots who will hold fundraisers and seek grants from the Department of Health and the minister with responsibility for the Islands Eamon Ó Cuiv.

Skibbereen-based Dr Pat Bailey, a member of the voluntary group, said getting people to hospital quickly was vital.

“The general rule is that for someone with a severe injury the ‘golden hour’ or the first hour is most important,” Dr Bailey said.

He added that the flying doctor service would be of particular benefit to people who had suffered heart attacks, or serious injuries in road traffic accidents.

John Kearney, who also owns the Baltimore Diving Centre, said coastguard helicopters were based in Dublin, Shannon, Waterford and Sligo for emergencies, but there were none in Cork. “We are the biggest county in Ireland and west Cork, in particular, is the remotest region when it comes to air coverage,” he said.

“Having an airplane or helicopter solely available for the people of west Cork would cut the travel time by more than half and accessibility to the islands would be greatly increased. This in turn would improve the standard of service of healthcare supplied to the islanders and west Cork in general.”

He said the group was also appealing to people willing to donate their time to the project.

“We need a number of people with different skills in order to get this invaluable project off the ground,” said Mr Kearney.

Meanwhile, group chairman and former county mayor Cllr John O’Shea said it was important to get the service up and running as soon as possible.

He said a number of meetings would be organised in January and February throughout the region to highlight the plan. Dates for meetings will be announced next month.

* Anybody willing to help should send an email to Mr Kearney at: [e-mail]