Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“The Department of Health’s consultation on the establishment of a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for Northern Ireland closes today. TUV has led the way in the campaign for a Northern Ireland HEMS. The late Dr John Hinds and I met with the Health Minister to press the case for such a service just a few months before the doctor was tragically killed. Like anyone who met Dr Hinds I was deeply impressed by both Dr Hinds’ commitment to securing a HEMS for Northern Ireland and his vast knowledge of the subject. His untimely death robed Northern Ireland not only of a skilled medical professional but someone who was deeply passionate about improving health care provision in our Province.
“In September 2015 I was honoured to be asked to hand over a petition containing over 80,000 signatures calling for the establishment of the service and on 12th October 2015 TUV hosted an event at Stormont which was introduced by the late Dr Hinds’ partner, Dr Janet Acheson, and which was addressed by Dr Brian Burns from Sydney, Australia, a world expert in HEMS provision.
“It was striking that Dr Burns as part of his presentation showed a slide displaying air ambulance provision across the British Isles. Northern Ireland was the only black stop, with no provision.
“This consultation is a welcome step in the right direction. However, I believe that Northern Ireland should have the best service possible. For that reason, TUV is calling for a fully funded physician-led HEMS.
“The cost of operating such a service is estimated by the Department at just £1.8 million. £1.8m is not a significant sum when people’s lives are at stake, particularly given the sums which are found to squander on other less worthy causes.
“For example, the cost of spin doctors in Stormont departments is £5m per year, and it is less than the £2m per year spent on Special Advisers!
“The money is there if Stormont would stop wasting it in areas which bring politics into contempt.
“We strongly believe that the cost difference of just £61,377 between a paramedic-led and physician-led service model is insignificant given the advantages of having a physician-led service.
“When it comes to the question of where the helicopter should be based we are of the view that it would be only logical to do so in the greater Belfast area, possibly at the International Airport. The new Critical Care Building at the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH), constructed at a total cost of £151.7m, houses the Regional Major Trauma Centre (MTC) for Northern Ireland. It therefore makes sense to have the service close to it.
“Finally, we are clear that Northern Ireland needs its own standalone service. This is not a service for Donegal and the other border counties of the Republic but for Northern Ireland. That said, Northern Ireland should always be willing to be neighbourly. We should not, however, factor the concerns of another jurisdiction into providing and siting a service for people in Northern Ireland.”