THE island’s air ambulance has vital new equipment thanks to a charity donation.
The Department of Health’s air ambulance service is used o transport critically ill patients requiring treatment in the UK.
Now the Manx Heart Support Group has mande a £5,000 donation to enable the service to buy an aero sled stretcher.
The new stretcher is specifically designed for air ambulances and enables the safe and easy transfer of patients from an ambulance into the aircraft, and is fully compatible with the onboard life support medical systems.
It means that there is a second second specialised stretcher for the air ambulance, which will enable a much faster turn-around time where multiple patients need transferring to the UK.
An aero sled stretcher is used during the entire transfer journey of a patient, from collection at Noble’s Hospital to admission at the UK hospital.
In the past, the stretcher would have had to return from the UK to Noble’s Hospital before the preparation for transfer of a second patient could begin. Now, a second patient can be prepped at Noble’s Hospital on the second stretcher and ready to go as soon as the aircraft is back on the ground in the Isle of Man.
Manx Heart Support Group chairman Win Kewley said: ‘Fellow member of the group Lynda Kane and I are former nurses, and actually worked on the air ambulance during our time at Noble’s Hospital, as well as in intensive Care.
‘This is such a vital service, and knowing firsthand the resources required and work involved, we wanted to do all we could to secure and enhance the service.
‘The Manx Heart Support Group is really what it says on the tin, we don’t actively fund-raise, but instead provide people affected by heart disease or heart conditions with support, advice and the opportunity to talk in a friendly environment.
‘Despite not actively seeking funds we do receive donations from time to time as well as bequests.’
Health Minister David Anderson MHK thanked the group. He said: ‘Our air ambulance service is a lifeline for the island and provides a vital link to the UK. The air ambulance is called upon when critically ill patients require treatment off-island in more specialist centres which have access to a wider range of facilities than those available on the island.
The service is operated by Capital Air Charter, based at Ronaldsway Airport. The in-flight trained staff who care for patients, their families and organise the service are based at Noble’s Hospital and include healthcare professionals and medics from all specialties.
Approximately 350 patients are transferred annually from the Isle of Man and the service is available 24/7 for mercy flights to the UK to help with everything from premature babiles to critically ill patients requiring life support on a journey.