Call for rescue helicopter to airlift seriously ill patients from remote areas of West Cork to CUH

Fianna Fáil councillor Patrick Gerard Murphy said many did not realise how far away some West Cork people are from critical care in CUH.

Talks are to take place between State agencies aimed at getting the Rescue 115 helicopter based in Shannon involved in more airlifts of seriously ill patients to Cork University Hospital from the three West Cork peninsulas and seven islands in the region.

Cork County Council is to discuss the potential move with the HSE, the Department of Transport and representatives from the Islands Inter Agency Committee amid concerns ambulances are taking far too long to get emergency cases to CUH, potentially putting lives at risk.