Pan-islands air ambulance contract signed

Jersey and Guernsey are to have a joint air ambulance following the signing of a shared contract on Monday 8 July 2013.

 

The departments for health and social services have agreed a joint approach to flying critically-ill patients to the UK for treatment, culminating in today’s signing of the contract with supplier Capital Air Charter.

 

The move will save money and ensure continuity for the essential flights for at least three years.

 

It is estimated that the joint saving will be £245,000 per annum: £200,000 by Guernsey and £45,000 by Jersey. The contract is worth approximately £1 million per annum for Jersey, and £500,000 a year for Guernsey.

 

In 2012, Jersey carried out a total of 346 emergency air transfers to the UK while Guernsey transported 174 patients.

 

Although Jersey and Guernsey will use separate planes to provide the emergency air transfers, the service to both islands will be provided by Capital Air Charter. The company was awarded the contract following a detailed, competitive tendering process. Capital already holds the contract in Jersey, but will be a new provider for Guernsey.

 

Jersey's Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Anne Pryke, said “This joint contract represents a great deal of hard work by officers and clinical staff in both islands, and we are very pleased to be able to offer joint working with Guernsey, which is often talked about and something we aspire to.

 

“Our two health systems are very different, but this does not mean we can’t have a joined-up, professional approach to an essential service. This is an example of good procurement which means that these services can be maintained, while financial savings are made. I am delighted that the contract has now been signed.”

 

Lisa Humphries from Capital Air Charter said “We are delighted to have been awarded this prestigious contract and our entire team looks forward to working with Jersey and Guernsey to implement a safe, fast, efficient, cost-effective and flexible patient air transfer service, unrivalled in the British Isles.”