As Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday, the Scottish Government is to establish the successful ‘Flying Doctor’ pilot project – the Emergency Medical Retrieval Service (EMRS), to give it its proper name, on a permanent basis.
The remote parts of Argyll were the test bed to prove the need for the service and the trial period has confirmed that the rapid response unit has avery real role to play. It is estimated to have saved over 20 lives a year.
Now, from October 2010 onwards, two teams of consultants in specially adapted Sea King helicopters will, from a Glasgow base, bring air-borne intensive care direct to patients too ill to move or injured in remote locations.
This service is a world first because it is at consultant level.
The cost is £2 million a year – and after the melt down of the banks when we all got used to thinking in billions – ratcheted upwards daily (and still counting) – this seems like a bargain basement price for a first class service.
Good for morale to see Scotland in a lead role.
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