Isle of Man Secures Emergency Air Ambulance Services for Five Years
Manx Care has confirmed new five-year contracts, with an option for a two-year extension, to secure the Isle of Man's emergency air ambulance services. This development provides long-term stability for patient transfers to specialist care facilities in the UK.
Contract Details
Under the new agreements, helicopter emergency medical services will continue to be provided by the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS). Fixed-wing air ambulance services have been awarded to IAS Medical, while road ambulance transfers from UK airports to hospitals will be handled by Spark UK Medical.
Will Bellamy, representing Manx Care, highlighted that these contracts mark a "significant step in protecting access to specialist care for our population," emphasising their focus on safety, quality, and patient outcomes.
Addressing Past Uncertainty
The announcement resolves previous concerns about the future of the island's helicopter emergency medical service. Last year, Manx Care had indicated that it could not sustain a monthly retainer for the GNAAS helicopter service beyond March 2025. A temporary one-year contract, funded on a per-mission basis, was subsequently agreed upon, allowing GNAAS to increase its fundraising efforts.
GNAAS chief executive Joe Garcia noted that the organisation typically responds to approximately 20 incidents annually on the Isle of Man. Peter Roberts of IAS Medical described the service as a "lifeline," expressing pride in ensuring safe and reliable transfers, with potential plans for expanding to a day-and-night service if funding permits. Laura Parry of Spark UK Medical affirmed their commitment to providing timely and safe onward transfers for patients.
