Roscommon has one of the highest call outs for air ambulance - temporary relocation of base criticised  

The air ambulance based in Athlone is to be stationed in Dublin over the next six to eight weeks,  according to Deputy Claire Kerrane.

The Sinn Fein TD said that the relocation was happening because the hanger in Athlone was undergoing structural repairs. The air ambulance opened in Athlone in 2012.

According to information from the health services, County Roscommon is one of the counties which has one of the highest number of call outs for the air ambulance.

“This will remove the very benefit of the air ambulance service for County Roscommon - speed," said Deputy Kerrane. "It takes about 30 minutes to fly from Dublin to Athlone.” 

"I understand the National Ambulance Service (NAS) was to consider other options to hold the aircraft after the last time this happened, and 6-8 weeks became three months. I want the NAS to look at Knock Airport or Galway and they should do this, they should have it done.

"This is unacceptable. I am getting more and more concerned about the decisions being made at management level in the NAS - they took away our 24/7 Advanced Paramedic cover in Roscommon and now they are doing this. I will not allow the NAS to do any of this quietly and I will not stop highlighting these issues."

The HSE and department of health were contacted about this.

Separately, Deputy Kerrane added “that after a lot of over and back with the NAS on the removal of 24/7 advanced paramedics in Roscommon”, a course will begin in the New Year to allow paramedics to work here as advanced paramedics.

Deputy Kerrane said she was delighted to get this agreement and she expected one to be stationed in Roscommon to complete and restore the 24/7 cover if an advanced paramedic was not put in place before then.