Flying Doctor Scheme to Take Off

By JOHN ROSS

A “FLYING doctor” scheme is to be trialled in the west Highlands in the hope of saving victims of life-threatening medical emergencies in rural areas.

NHS Highland yesterday agreed to pay GBP 186,000 towards the cost of an 18-month pilot project of the Emergency Medical Retrieval Service.

It would see consultants being flown by helicopter or plane to treat patients before they are taken to a specialist hospital. The first year will cost about GBP 1.2 million, after which it will be independently evaluated.

A previous pilot has operated in Argyll and Clyde, and eventually it is hoped the scheme can be operated across the whole of rural Scotland.

Roger Gibbins, NHS Highland chief executive, said: “This will provide safe and secure access to highly experienced accident and emergency department specialists for people in remote communities who are seriously ill or seriously injured.

“It will also give support to our practitioners and Scottish Ambulance Service paramedics.”

Dr Leo Murray, the lead clinician at Dr Mackinnon Memorial Hospital in Broadford, Skye, welcomed the scheme: “Critical illness and injury can happen anywhere.

“Getting very ill patients to the intensive care they require is a major challenge. This service will bring experienced help and care out of specialist centres to where we live.”

The proposal has been developed by senior doctors based at the Royal Alexandria Hospital in Paisley and the Southern General in Glasgow.

The west coast trial still requires agreement from the Scottish Ambulance Service and other health boards.

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