Defence Forces assist rapid transfer of 41 critical patients to TUH
Rapid transfer: The Defence Forces Air Corps landing in Tallaght

Defence Forces assist rapid transfer of 41 critical patients to TUH

THE Defence Forces Air Corps have assisted the rapid transfer of over 40 critical patients to Tallaght Hospital so far this year.

It is a service that occurs approximately five to six times a month at the Tallaght facility – the landing pad located near the south entrance.

Tallaght Hospital do not record data of patients arriving by chopper, because their primary concern is that a patient requires immediate treatment, not how they arrived.

A spokesperson for the Defence Forces told The Echo: “So far this year 41 flights have delivered to Tallaght Hospital.”

The Echo contacted the HSE for comment but did not receive a reply.

In June, the National Ambulance Service (NAS) launched a new Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS) – a joint project between the HSE and the Defence Forces.

The 12 month test project was established to provide NAS paramedics with the assistance of a dedicated military helicopter for the rapid transfer of critical patients to the most suitable hospital.

The EAS is a new venture for the Defence Forces that builds on the inter-hospital air ambulance service it has offered the State since the 1960s.

To date, the Air Corps has carried out over 3,000 inter-hospital air ambulance missions utilising its aircraft.

The inter-hospital service is still available from Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel.

The EAS is based at Custume Barracks in Athlone, where the Augusta Westland 139 (AW 139) chopper remains on immediate call to the NAS 365 days a year.

The helicopter is known by its call sign MEDEVAC112.

Paramedics who believe time critical treatment or transport is required for their patient, and this is unachievable by ground transport, may request the support of MEDEVAC112.

The guideline is that the estimated time taken from leaving the scene to being at hospital should be greater than 45 minutes.

 

 

 

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