A DUBLIN-BASED emergency medicine specialist has attended nearly 50 serious medical emergencies in the last three months, volunteering his time alongside CRITICAL, a lifesaving charity.

Dr Keith Kennedy, from South County Dublin, is the newest addition to the CRITICAL volunteer responder team, which now includes three doctors in the capital.

Since July, he has attended calls ranging from cardiac arrests and strokes to traffic collisions and traumatic injuries.

In August, he was involved in a high-profile rescue when a casualty fell 12 metres from Shanganagh Cliffs, providing medical care at the scene and travelling in the rescue helicopter with the patient.

A Deansgrange native, Dr Kennedy qualified in 2012, specialises in emergency medicine, and previously worked as a paramedic.

Dr Keith Kennedy. CRITICAL CRITICAL

He also helped establish the CRITICAL Deansgrange Cardiac First Responder Group, which responded to 120 calls in its first six months.

“I started volunteering with St John Ambulance when I was 10 so it’s something I’ve always done. I look after strangers as part of my job and I believe I should also be available to my neighbours and local community in their time of need,” Dr Kennedy said.

“Working with the National Ambulance Service and local responders, we aim to give patients the best chance of survival and recovery.”

David Tighe, CEO of CRITICAL, praised Dr Kennedy’s commitment.

“We’re proud to welcome Dr Kennedy to our expanding team in Dublin. His dedication, both professionally and voluntarily, represents the best of what CRITICAL stands for,” Tighe said.

“Every second counts in a medical emergency, and the work of our volunteer doctors, CFR groups, and off-duty responders is vital to saving lives.”

CRITICAL relies on public donations to fund its network of volunteers and the expensive equipment needed for emergency responses, including advanced airway packs, AED pads, and ventilator filter packs.

Donations can be made here.