Air Traffic Control challenges 'have had a significant effect' on Manx Care

Airport closures make overnight helicopter transfers 'three times more expensive'

Longstanding challenges staffing Air Traffic Control (ATC) at Ronaldsway have had a 'significant effect' on Manx Care.

That's according to the healthcare body's Operating Plan for 2025/26.

It reveals that Manx Care has to rely on the HMS Coastguard for emergency transfers during the night - at three times the cost.

This is due to the fact that 'when the airport is closed due to lack of ATC cover', the fixed wing air ambulance service is 'unable to operate'.

Manx Radio asked Manx Care's Chair Wendy Reid if the inclusion of this information in the Operating Plan indicated the body moving to a more transparent approach regarding financial pressures caused by factors outside of the healthcare realm:

Health Minister Claire Christian added that unpredictable external pressures on the health service are why a contingency fund has been made available within this year's Budget:

For 2025/26 the body has been allocated £357.5 million, with a £14 million contingency pot also available. 

ATC ISSUES

ATC staffing issues have been a headline topic for several years now here on the Island; with seemingly no end in sight yet.

Former Airport Director Gary Cobb described the staff resource within the ATC tower as a 'finely balanced' challenge back in 2023.

He said the team was 'focussing on both training existing staff and preparing for new starters following recruitment as part of the longer-term strategy'.

Meanwhile, in 2022, current Interim Airport Director - speaking then as Head of Air Traffic Services - Geoff Pugh, explained that the fix is not as simple as drafting in controllers from other areas, due to strict rules around training.

It's also been widely reported that there is a worldwide shortage of ATCs.

Just this week, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, which represents 10,800 certified ATCs across the United States, said the shortage of ATCs there is 'nearly the worst in 30 years'.

ATCs aside though, the Operating Plan also delves into other areas of 'Patient Logistics' and how they are impacted by Manx Care's finances.

GREAT NORTH AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE

For instance, as part of the Sir Jonathan Michael recommendations, a HEMS service (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) was established 'to enhance our airbridge capability on-Island'.

Previously, patients who needed immediate hospital care were brought to Noble’s Hospital, and if they required further treatment off-Island, were subsequently transferred by the fixed wing air ambulance. 

There was no access to a pre-hospital HEMS able to provide the full spectrum of advanced critical care procedures.

Now, this service is provided by the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).

Due to 'the additional costs of insurance and additional safety equipment required for travelling over water, £250k is required per annum for these specific costs'.

But Manx Care says: "It is unlikely that GNAAS will be able to fundraise to this level each year from the relatively small population of the Island, to cover these costs and ensure continuation of the service."

Manx Radio has contacted GNAAS for comment.

LIVERPOOL ROUTE

Meanwhile, as is well documented, the Island's non-urgent Patient Transfer patients generally travel by air.

Loganair recently re-secured its contract to continue providing this service for another three years, starting on 1 April 2025.

The airline currently receives a subvention for operating on the Northwest route, to ensure operations of Liverpool and Manchester routes.

Manx Care says: "Without continuation of the subvention on this route funded by wider government, a regional operator will be unable to sustain operations, which will put the Patient Transfer Service at risk of delivery."

It adds that it 'does not have the required funding allocation to manage the subvention aspect, which is inextricably linked to the wider Northwest strategic route'. 

Manx Care has 'circa six months of available budget to operate the Non-Urgent Patient Transfer Service in 2025/26 without intervention'.

STRATEGIC AIR POLICY

Furthermore, the document also reveals that 'increases in airport charges and duties also impact on Manx Care finances and need to be considered when strategic air policy is developed'.

Manx Care says: "Following CQC recommendations, the Non-Emergency Patient Transfer service is planned to be moved from the DOI to Manx Care. 

"However, the required funding allocation of £1.2m to deliver the services is required before the service can be transferred."

COMMENT

Manx Radio contacted the Department of Infrastructure for comment; the offer was declined.

The Mandate to Manx Care can be found in full HERE whilst the Operating Plan can be found HERE.

You can hear more on both documents from the health minister and Manx Care in this Newscast: