Company outlines how reduction of paramedics in air ambulance service poses safety risks

The HSE has insisted that the helicopter emergency medical service is safe and working effectively, that the crewing model is safe for both patients and crew, and that there are no outstanding matters of concern in relation to the contract

File picture: Larry Cummins

The company which provides a life-saving air ambulance service for the State raised serious concerns about flight safety risks after the HSE’s National Ambulance Service (NAS) introduced changes to the medical crewing model on the aircraft.

The crew changes included rostering just one paramedic to work some of the shifts on the aircraft, which operates from a base near Millstreet, in Cork, to covering the south west and beyond.