It’s been claimed that a helicopter is not available to bring a sick child from the north west to a hospital in Dublin after 9 o’clock at night.
And a local councillor says the reason is to save money
Sligo Fianna Fail Councillor Donal Gilroy says helicopters are available to do offshore rescues 24 hours a day but are not available to bring a child with a life-threatening condition to Crumlin or Temple Street hospitals in Dublin for urgent surgery.
In answer to a question at this week’s meeting of the Regional Health Forum West, Cllr Gilroy was told that the limits are placed on search and rescue helicopters for inter-hospital missions by the Irish Aviation Authority.
However, there is no restriction on the actual search and rescue service.
Cllr Gilroy was informed that currently, the National Ambulance Service can task the Irish Rescue Coast Guard helicopter up to 9pm for inter-hospital missions nationally.
The aircraft tasked must return to an Irish Coast Guard base by 11pm, with the result there is no inter-hospital helicopter service after the 9pm tasking deadline.
Cllr Gilroy claims it’s all down to money:
