McFadden calls for continuation of Athlone air ambulance service

Local TD Nicky McFadden is urging Health Minister James Reilly and the HSE to ensure that the emergency air ambulance service is retained.

The service has operated from Athlone's Custume Barracks for the last year.

'The initial twelve-month pilot service operating from Custume Barracks was set up to support the HSE National Ambulance Service and to assess the level and type of dedicated emergency aeromedical support needed to assist the National Ambulance Service in the west of Ireland for certain types of patient,' said the Fine Gael representative.

'In March I was informed that a full evaluation of the service would be undertaken within three months of the end of the pilot programme in June.

'I believe that this service has been hugely important over the last year. I have made both the Minister for Health and the Minister for Defence Alan Shatter aware that I am in full support of the continuation of the service. I have particularly requested that patient care and local communities will be given consideration as part of the decision making process,' she concluded.