Great North Air Ambulance Service introduces life-saving work to Manx community

The Great North Air Ambulance Service has introduced itself to the Manx community.

In 2022 the team entered an agreement with Manx Care to develop a service to transfer patients by helicopter from the Isle of Man directly to the UK for emergency medical treatment.

Working closely with paramedics from the Isle of Man Ambulance Service, GNAAS’ critical care team - which consists of a doctor and paramedic - can provide patients with advanced levels of pre-hospital care, including anaesthesia, blood transfusions and surgery.

Last year the service was activated 24 times and their team delivered specialist treatment on scene to several patients and airlifted 13 of them to a trauma or other specialist centre in the North West of England.

The charity held a launch event at the Santander Work Café, in Douglas, to share its mission in enhancing emergency medical services on the Island.

GNAAS’ Chief Executive David Stockton, and Head of Operations (West) Lee Salmon, provided additional insights and answered questions from the audience.

They were also joined by GNAAS charity ambassador Kerry Irving who organised a short dog walk at South Barrule earlier that day.

Mr Stockton said: “It was an excellent event, in an excellent facility, and we were thankful to the many people who came out to meet us and listen to our stories. 

“We had some very encouraging conversations during and after the event, and so many people who like the work that we do and want to try and help us and enable us to continue providing our service.

“It was also helpful to explain how we complement and enhance the medical services and provisions already available on the island.

“We’re very much in the transformational phase at the moment but it’s a really exciting phase and we’re looking forward to seeing what this year could bring.”