Lift-off of air ambulance imminent

AN air ambulance service to get medical emergencies to hospital from remote parts of the south-west could be operating later this year.

A charity group planning to provide the service hopes to begin talks with the Health Service Executive (HSE) shortly about setting up the service. Air Ambulance Ireland has signed a contract with Bond Air Services in Wales which would initially provide one helicopter and pilots, available during daylight hours from Monday to Friday.

The long-term plan is to have a number of helicopters available to the HSE ambulance service on a 24/7 basis if the initial scheme is approved and operates successfully.