Originally Posted by
OvertHawk
In such circumstance you would expect Bristow to start with what is required by the contract and once they're set up, if they have suitable numbers of AP qualified staff, an identified need and the blessing of the Coastguard they may be in a position to increase the level of service in much he same way CHC did?
You can't expect an incoming contractor to provide a higher than required service from the outset when they don't know how many staff will transfer across and what qualifications they will hold.
This sounds like people trying to score points on technicalities.
I certainly don't disagree with your main points, and only time will tell. The application to the regulator could have encompassed both grades. The admin process would have been the same but with some extra measures for storage of controlled drugs, nothing difficult. The staff are coming across, this has all been reported on already. The very same SAR Crew are taking their Paramedic and Advanced Paramedic licences across to Bristow. They will operate from their own bases using new aircraft for the same customer.
I can't agree with your point about point scoring. It has everything to do with tending to sick and injured people and giving them the best care available. My post above following the press release was to highlight while its a milestone it is still a retrograde step to the current service. This certainly is not Bristows fault, the Irish Coastguard themselves need to take their heads out of the sand and take an interest in the service they are paying for.