Meet Our Volunteer Doctors

Across the country, our network of Volunteer Emergency Medical Responders are tasked by the National Ambulance service to provide pre-hospital emergency care in the areas where they live or work. Strategically positioned within their local area, allowing them to quickly attend emergency calls and provide essential care during the crucial early minutes before the arrival of the ambulance crew.

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Dr. Gerry Lane

Dr. Gerry Lane is a retired Emergency Medical Consultant with almost 40 years experience in Emergency Medicine. 

In 2023, Dr. Lane retired after 21 years at the forefront of emergency care at Letterkenny University Hospital.

Dr. Lane has worked and trained in Scotland, Iraq, the UAE, and across the UK and Northern Ireland. He has lectured at RCSI and was a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Practice at NUIG and the Donegal Medical Academy. In 2001 Dr. Lane was appointed by the NWHB as the Foundation Consultant in Emergency Medicine for Donegal. 

4 April 2022; Andy Patton of the Irish Community Air Ambulance at the Irish Air Ambulance and Leinster Rugby Charity Partnership announcement at Leinster HQ in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***

Dr. Andy Patton

Dr. Andy Patton is a Specialist Registrar in Emergency Medicine with a passion for Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine and medical education. 

He graduated from UCD in 2015 and is currently training to be a Consultant in Emergency Medicine. 

Andy volunteers with CRITICAL providing Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine working in a voluntary capacity with the National Ambulance Service and Dublin Fire Brigade.

Dr. Daragh Mathews

Dr. Daragh Mathews

Dr. Daragh Mathews is a Specialist Registrar in Emergency Medicine with a particular interest in Pre-Hospital Critical Care. 

He graduated from UCC in 2017 and is currently training to be an Emergency Medicine Consultant. Daragh volunteers his time to CRITICAL to provide pre- hospital emergency medical care.

Photograph: Patrick Browne

Dr. Mark Ruddy

Dr. Mark Ruddy is a GP working in South Wicklow. Mark is married with a baby girl and a sheepdog living and working in County Wicklow. He has previously worked in a variety of prehospital critical care roles in Ireland, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

In his spare time you’ll find him in the mountains or on the sea.

Dr. Lisa Cunningham - Mayo

Dr. Lisa Cunningham

Dr. Lisa Cunningham is a Consultant in Emergency Medicine and a Prehospital Physician. She works in Mayo University Hospital and also works with LNAA HEMS service in the UK. 

Dr Cunningham has always had a strong keen interest in prehospital emergency medicine, with her many years volunteering with the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps. She is delighted to be part of CRITICAL to be able to give her the tools, to provide critical care in the prehospital environment.

When not in the ED, she combines her grá for prehospital and GAA, being part of the Mayo Senior Ladies and Men medical team.

Dr. Jason Horan - Mayo

Dr. Jason Horan

Dr Jason Horan trained in Emergency Medicine in Ireland, becoming a Consultant in 2013. He works in Mayo University Hospital.

He has been responding on behalf of CRITICAL in Mayo since August 2015. He has extensive experience in teaching and examining on the Advanced Paramedic programme with the National Ambulance Service and UCD since 2008. He is medical director for Wilderness EMS training and has strong links with all the voluntary aid/rescue organisations who are active in County Mayo.

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Dr. Tomás Barry

Tomás is a GP and Associate Professor at University College Dublin. 

He has previously served as course director for the National Advanced Paramedic Training Programme and is currently vice chair of the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Councils Medical Advisory Committee. 

He has been an advanced volunteer doctor with the charity since 2017.

Dr. Jack Collins, Donegal

Dr. Jack Collins

Dr Jack Collins is a consultant anesthesiologist, having completed specialist anesthesia training in Ireland including a fellowship in advanced airway management and simulation.

Jack lives in Donegal with his family and has a keen interest in pre-hospital care. This stemmed from an early involvement with the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps. He is an examiner with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council and has previously sat on the Medical Advisory.

Dr. Paul Campbell of Dunmore East, Co. Waterford.

Dr. Paul Campbell

Paul is a GP and occupational health physician working in Waterford. From County Tyrone, Paul completed his undergraduate training in Queens University Belfast in 2004.

Paul now lives in Dunmore East, Co. Waterford. In 2013 he set up a community responder group in the area. Since then, he has continued to expand his interests and involvement within prehospital emergency medicine.

He has recently finished a 2-year master’s course with UCD in prehospital emergency medicine in 2023.

Paul joined the CRITICAL team in 2023.

Dr.Niall Conroy - Tallaght

Dr. Niall Conroy

Niall Conroy is a consultant in public health medicine, specialising in outbreaks of infectious diseases. He is also an adjunct professor of public health at University College Cork.

Niall has previously been the course director for UCD’s Advanced Paramedic Training course, and their Military Medicine training course.

Niall has worked in emergency and acute settings in Ireland, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as in crisis settings in Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Nepal. He has previously provided a voluntary rapid response physician service in Co. Meath.

Niall joined the CRITICAL team in 2023.