EMERGENCY HELICOPTERS carrying critically ill patients will soon be able to land on the grounds of the midwest’s largest hospital for the first time in 13 years.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has spent almost €500,000 on the construction of a helicopter landing pad at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital at Dooradoyle, in Limerick. The last patient to be airlifted there was in January 1996.
Since then, the region’s largest hospital and A&E department have not been equipped to accommodate an emergency helicopter in the event of a major accident or other emergency. Helicopters have had to land up to 30km away and patients are transported to the hospital by road.
“It is expected that the helipad will be practically completed within weeks,” the HSE has now confirmed. “Test flights have already taken place and final commission will commence immediately on practical completion. The cost will be in the region of €450,000.”
The HSE previously denied suggestions that rescue crews have opted to transfer patients to Tralee General Hospital and University College Hospital Galway, which have dedicated helipads, because no such facility was available in Limerick. “The location of the incident and the nature of the injury are the determining factors in deciding which hospital to go to.”
In 2005, Clare Fine Gale deputy Pat Breen called on the Government to fast-track plans to provide a helipad in Limerick. “This is welcome news but long overdue,” he said yesterday. The new charity-funded All Ireland Air Ambulance service has welcomed the news.