Patient Air Transfers

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A decision made (18/05/2007) regarding: Patient Air Transfers - Contract.

Subject:	Patient Air Transfers – Contract
Decision Reference:	MD-H SS-2007-0032		Exempt clause(s):
Type of Report: (oral or written)	Written		Person Giving Report (if oral):
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?			Report File ref:
Written report – Title	Patient Air Transfers Supplementary Report
Written report – Author (name and job title)	Richard Jouault, Director, Corporate Planning & Performance Management
Decision(s): The Minister approved the acceptance of the tender from Capital (Trading) Aviation Ltd for the provision of aero medical transfer of patients to and from Health and Social Services Department.
Reason(s) for decision: The current arrangements for aero medical transfer are delivered on an ad hoc basis using a variety of aircraft operators. This approach may result in a diminished quality of service. Service quality will be improved by contractual arrangements with a single provider or consortium.
Action required: The Director, Corporate Planning & Performance Management is required to prepare a contract between Health and Social Services Department and Capital (Trading) Aviation Ltd
Signature: (Minister for Health and Social Services)		Date of Decision: 18 May 2007

Patient Air Transfers - Contract.

Ministerial Decision- Patient Air Transfers

Supplementary Report

Background

The Health & Social Services Department (HSSD) chartered aircraft for 158 emergency patient transfers to UK hospitals in 2005. This included the transfer of critically ill incubated babies. Jersey figures suggest that between 1 and 9 infants (medical, surgical and cardiac) are transferred ex-utero per year. A further 3 infants are delivered on the mainland following in-utero transfer, and require repatriation.

This service was predominantly delivered by four main aircraft operators at a total cost of over £1 million. This cost does not include the significant administrative time spent by HSSD personnel attempting to contact an available aircraft operator and coordinating the transfer from Jersey General Hospital to ambulance, to aircraft and receiving UK hospital.

Issues

The current ad hoc arrangements with multiple providers for air transfer present the organisation with the following risks:

 Potential to delay emergency transfer of critically ill patient due to burdensome process of identifying an available air operator.

 Increased staff costs resulting from HSSD staff failing to be repatriated following transfer out of hours.

 Increased risks to patients and staff from the use of non standardised aircraft minimising the opportunity to standardise equipment and training.

Recommended Action:

Develop contractual arrangement with single aircraft operator to manage all air transfers.