Islander aircraft will supply air ambulance back-up support

Loganair’s locally-based Islander aircraft look set to be used to supply back-up support to the air ambulance service.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that the planes could once again be used to transport “non-emergency” patients from the outer isles into Kirkwall.

The initiative is the result of an agreement between the Scottish Ambulance Service and Loganair.

Gary Rutherford, of SAS, said: “We believe that the agreement with Loganair will deliver a more flexible local service for those patients who are not emergency or serious cases but still have to be transferred to Kirkwall.

“It is not appropriate for seriously ill or emergency cases to be transferred in this way and the EC 135 helicopter will continue to respond to those patients. The King Air fixed wing aircraft will continue to transfer patients for care in Aberdeen.”

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has repeatedly raised concerns with Ms Sturgeon about the arrangements for air ambulance cover in Orkney, calling for provision to include a locally-based aircraft.

Mr McArthur said:”This is good news and opens up the potential for real improvement in the air ambulance cover available to patients in the smaller islands in Orkney.”