Change of air ambulance operator
THE air ambulance contract for the Channel Islands has been transferred to Gama Aviation to help secure the long-term sustainability and resilience of the service.
The States of Guernsey, together with Government of Jersey, have transferred all of the services,
including related assets and key personnel, from Capital Air Ambulance, which had held the contract for seven years, with effect from Saturday.
An initial novated contract has been agreed upon for five years with the potential for an extension at that point.
‘In the last months, HSC has worked closely with all stakeholders to ensure the resilience of air ambulance services in these unprecedented times,’ said a Health & Social Care spokesman.
‘For the members of the public, no change will be visible and no adverse impact from this transition is foreseen.
‘The States of Guernsey would like to thank Capital Air Ambulance for the years of service to the Bailiwick to provide this very important lifeline.
‘The Bailiwick looks forward to a new long and successful relationship with Gama Aviation, with its strong track record in air ambulance provision having delivered a similar service to NHS Scotland for nearly three decades.’
Air ambulance provision is a key service in the Bailiwick, enabling the transfer of critically ill patients to the UK from Guernsey.
Operating Beechcraft King Air B200 aircraft, Gama Aviation will provide a 24-hour, 365 days a year service between the Channel Islands and UK mainland health services, providing a critical lifeline for islanders.
Gama Aviation’s group chief operating officer, Neil Medley, said the company was pleased to have been given the responsibility and was committed to the agreement.
‘We are delighted to have been awarded these important contracts by the governments of Guernsey and Jersey.
‘Given our focus on special mission service provision, our existing aviation facilities in Jersey and
our Beechcraft authorised service centre in Bournemouth, we are ideally placed to deliver a long and successful partnership with each Bailiwick.’
Capital Air Ambulance had been awarded the contract in 2018, following a joint competitive tendering process between Guernsey and Jersey. At that point Capital had already provided the service since 2013.
