Cork University Hospital (CUH) has set up the country's only designated radio service for injured or sick seafarers in need of medical advice.
Medico Cork, a radio medical consultation centre, provides medical advice to seafarers in the Irish "search and rescue" region and to Irish seafarers worldwide.
A role awarded to the hospital by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the free 24-hour service is run in partnership with the Irish Coast Guard who co-ordinates the calls between CUH and mariners seeking medical advice.
The Coast Guard plays a pivotal role in the service, facilitating three-way communication between the sea-going vessel and the emergency department. All calls to the hospital are then dealt with by a consultant or registrar.