Emergency medical response charity CRITICAL has launched its new fleet of rapid response cars. The organisation is providing its teams of critical and advanced care doctors with four-wheel drive vehicles to ensure they can get to the scene of emergencies quickly and safely.
The charity currently has a network of 10 doctors and consultants in emergency medicine who volunteer to respond to serious and life-threatening incidents and illnesses in their areas. These doctors are based in counties Waterford, Wicklow, Kerry, Mayo, Donegal, and Dublin.
The Skoda Kodiaq was chosen by CRITICAL for its road safety and the security it gives the emergency responders. The cars have been customised with ambulance-style livery and class 1 emergency lighting. The rear boot of each car has been redesigned to hold and charge the necessary medical equipment.
Waterford-based Dr. Paul Campbell and Dr. Daragh Mathews have now received the new cars. The pair have responded to 151 taskings between them since July 2023. These include cardiac arrests, road traffic collisions, and farm accidents.
Pictured are Dr Daragh Mathews; Edward Walsh, CRITICAL Head of Operations; and Dr Paul Campbell. Photo: Mary Browne
Dr Paul Campbell joined the charity last year. The Tyrone native has been working as a GP in Waterford City since 2012 and also recently completed a Master's in Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine from UCD. Dr Daragh Mathews joined CRITICAL in 2021. He is a Specialist Registrar in Emergency Medicine at University Hospital Waterford.
The running costs of Dr Campbell’s emergency vehicle will continue to be sponsored by the local Centra store in Dunmore East. It is in memory of local woman Susan O’Donoghue who was assisted by the service in August.
For more information about CRITICAL charity or to make a donation visit https://criticalcharity.ie/.
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