The Department of Health’s Air Ambulance Service, which is used to transport critically ill patients requiring treatment in the UK, has received a generous donation from the Manx Heart Support Group.  The donation of ?5,000 has enabled the Department to purchase a brand new, state of the art 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.  The provision of this second specialised stretcher 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.
 
Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK said: “Our Air Ambulance Service is quite literally 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.  I’d like to extend my thanks on behalf of the Department to the Manx Heart Support Group.  This generous donation will ensure that patients are able to benefit from the latest advances in technology, with the new equipment making for a safer and speedier transfer from the ambulance to the aircraft.”
 
The Air Ambulance is operated by Capital Air Charter, which operate a fixed-wing aircraft based at Ronaldsway Airport. The in-flight trained staff who care for patients, their families and organise the Air Ambulance 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 to tertiary centres in Great Britain.  The Air Ambulance Service is provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and operates to ensure that any medical emergency requiring treatment in the UK can be dealt with immediately.  This can range from premature babies to critically ill children and adults who require life support during their journey.
 
Win Kewley, Chair of the Manx Heart Support Group 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; so it’s great to see that money being put to such good use for the people of the Isle of Man and in a service that really does make the difference.”
 
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