Air Corps airlifted 14 critical patients to TUH

THE Defence Forces Air Corps have assisted the rapid transfer of 14 critical patients to Tallaght University Hospital so far this year.

It is a regular feature since the establishment of the Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS) in 2012, a project between the HSE and the Defence Forces.

The EAS builds on the inter-hospital air ambulance service the Defence Forces has offered the State since the 1960s.

In the accompanying picture, the EAS are delivering a patient to TUH on Tuesday, March 22.

The landing pad is located near the south entrance of the Tallaght health facility.

A spokesperson for the Air Corps told The Echo: “Thus far in 2022, the Emergency Aeromedical Service Helicopter has airlifted 14 patients to Tallaght Hospital.

“Since the service commenced in 2012, we have airlifted 353 patients thus averaging 30 patients each year.”

The Air Corps staged a flyover in Dublin last week to mark the 100th anniversary of its foundation.

Up to 16 planes and helicopters took off from Air Corps headquarters at Casement Aerodrome, crossed over the Phoenix Park and followed the course of the Liffey through the city centre, before returning to Baldonnell.

The flyover followed an event being held at Baldonnell to mark the anniversary, which was attended by staff, their families and other guests.

Members of the 26th and 27th Young Officer Wings Courses also received their Military pilot’s wings at the event.

The EAS is based at Custume Barracks in Athlone, where the chopper MEDEVAC112 remains on call to the NAS 365 days a year.