News / Change to outer isles patient transport
DIRECTFLIGHT has signed an agreement with the Scottish Ambulance Service to allow the provider of Shetland’s inter-island air service to carry non-emergency patients from the outer isles to either Tingwall or Sumburgh.
The change in the provision is likely to affect between six and ten patients a year and will free up the Jigsaw helicopter for more urgent missions, the ambulance service said on Monday.
The new arrangements will apply for patients not in a life threatening condition but nevertheless in need of hospital treatment.
Garry Fraser of the SAS said the change would not affect emergency cases.
“We believe that the agreement with Directflight will deliver a more flexible local service for those patients who are not emergency or serious cases but still have to be transferred to Tingwall or Sumburgh.
“It is not appropriate for seriously ill or emergency cases to be transferred in this way and the current helicopter operations, which include the Jigsaw aircraft, will continue for those patients. The King Air fixed wing aircraft will continue to transfer patients for care in Aberdeen.”
Directflight’s commercial director Julie Simper added: “The new agreement means that the experience of our team in Shetland can now be called upon by the Scottish Ambulance Service when it is operationally practical and medically appropriate to do so.”
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
