Air Ambulance

Providing a comprehensive health care system for an Island community means that on occasions we are reliant on hospitals in the United Kingdom for specialist investigations and interventions which we are unable to provide.

The Air Ambulance Service is a nurse-led service which operates 24/7 and is based at Noble's Hospital. The aim of the service is to co-ordinate the transfer of inpatients off-Island. The air ambulance service is responsible for the transfer of patients requiring an air ambulance as their mode of transfer. Patients requiring scheduled aircraft or boat transfer have their transport arrangements organised by Patient Transfers Section.

The air ambulance is a fixed wing aircraft based at Ronaldsway Airport and is dedicated for the process of transferring patients.

During TT, the helicopter 'air ambulance' is an off-Island service used purely to transport Island residents and race goers from point to point on-Island and is not used to transfer patients to the UK.

The aircraft is modified and includes a Lifeport system which incorporates an aerosled stretcher and patient loading system. This both enables a seamless transfer process and provides patient comfort. The aircraft can accommodate 2 patients (1x stretcher and 1x sitting) and 2 health care staff.

Accompanying relatives transferred to UK

It is the Consultant's responsibility to determine whether a patient requires an escort and what type of escort. An escort can be defined as:

• transfer practitioner
• health care assistant
• voluntary worker
• or/and relative/friend ('approved escort')

A relative is automatically authorised if they fulfil one of the following criteria:

• children under 18 years (1 parent/guardian)
• children under the age of 2 may be allowed 2 parents/guardians
• escort required as an integral part of treatment plan, for example, living donor
• pregnant attending for treatment/confinement
• to ensure safety, for example, learning difficulties/physical disability/mental illness

Authorisation of additional escort to that of a transfer practitioner means that the 'approved escort' costs are subsidised and that travel arrangements are made (if within the North West) but it does not automatically means that the 'approved escort' is able to accompany the patient on the air ambulance.

For further information contact:

If you wish to make a donation to Air Ambulance Service please make a cheque payable to Noble's Hospital stating how you would like your money spent:

1. to improve patients' comfort
2. nurse education
3. equipment for the Air Ambulance Service