A new service to transfer seriously injured or unwell patients by helicopter from the Isle of Man directly to the UK for emergency medical treatment is commencing a long-term trial.
The direct transfer of patients to trauma or other specialist centres in the north-west will ensure those who need it, receive off-Island treatment in the shortest time possible.
The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) has entered into an agreement with Manx Care to trial the service. GNAAS is an established provider of advanced treatments at the scene of an incident as well as emergency treatment in flight – and its doctor and paramedic team is experienced in the swift transfer of patients from a variety of locations to the hospital door.
The helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) will operate alongside the Island’s existing fixed wing air ambulance service, marking an expansion of emergency medical provision for the public.
As at present, patients who need immediate hospital care will be brought to Noble’s Hospital and if they require further treatment off Island, subsequently transferred by fixed wing air ambulance.
The HEMS is intended for patients who are likely to need immediate specialist care in Liverpool or require specialist skills at the scene, and incoming 999 calls will be screened to identify those most likely to benefit. While the focus will be on trauma cases, it is hoped the new service will in future take patients with certain types of heart attacks quickly to Liverpool.
Gareth Davies, Manx Care’s Clinical Director of the Medicine, Urgent Care and Ambulance group said: “The addition of a helicopter emergency medical service will be a great compliment to existing emergency services and the fixed wing air ambulance provision. Having access to this HEMS service means emergency services will be able to reach patients fast and intervene as quickly as possible after serious injury or illness, and fly patients direct to definitive specialised care, which will give patients the best chance of survival and longer term outcomes.”
Manx Care’s partnership with GNAAS is a step towards delivering on a key recommendation of Sir Jonathan Michael’s landmark review into heath and care services in the Isle of Man: the creation of an enhanced 24/7 emergency air bridge.
Sir Jonathan said: “The new HEMS partnership with the Great North Air Ambulance Service provides another opportunity for the transformation of care in trauma cases and for an increasing range of conditions for Island residents. The addition of a highly trained medical team who can provide life-saving treatments in-flight is an important addition to the Island’s existing service. I am encouraged by the work taking place to maximise opportunities to deliver better care with the new service.”
The GNAAS team arrived on the Island yesterday (1 September) to meet Noble’s Hospital and Manx Care staff as well as members of the Island’s emergency services and Civil Defence personnel. A simulated HEMS intervention was staged to test and demonstrate the capabilities of the service.
Andy Mawson, paramedic and director of operations at GNAAS said: “It was a proud day for us. We can’t wait to get started and to get to know the beautiful Isle of Man and its people.
“We carry expert doctor and paramedic teams on all our missions. They essentially bring the hospital’s emergency department to the scene with surgical techniques, anaesthetics and blood products available to give every patient the best chance of survival and recovery.”
The initial demand on GNAAS is expected to be around one call-out a month. Mr Mawson said it would not impact on their existing service in the North of England.
GNAAS is a charity, but the service is being commissioned by Manx Care supported by the Isle of Man Cabinet Office’s Transformation Programme.
