Commenting after meeting the Health Minister with Dr John Hinds, a consultant in anaesthetics and ICU at Craigavon Hospital, Jim Allister said:
“The lack of a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for has been a matter of concern for many within the medical profession for years. Northern Ireland has lagged behind Scotland and Wales which have developed a fully funded, consultant led, 24 hour integrated HEMS.
“In practice this means that if someone in Northern Ireland is seriously injured they are at the mercy of where their injury occurs with there being no direct access to our only hospital with neurosurgical, spinal, pelvic, interventional radiology, cardiac and thoracic services (the Royal) if someone in injured outside the Belfast catchment area.
“Currently, if someone is injured and a helicopter is required, we have to see what is available. This may be a PSNI helicopter or a Coastguard helicopter from the Republic of Ireland, Wales or Scotland.
“This can lead to delays and when an aircraft arrives, it has no specialist capabilities.
“Dr Hinds and I had a constructive meeting with the Health Minister and I believe that a decision on the matter will be made in the not too distant future.
“It is imperative that the air ambulance is Northern Ireland based and under the control of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. We shouldn’t receive second best when it comes to this life saving service.”