Editorial note – The following press release refers to three separate contracts being issued by Manx Care, the health department of the Government of the Isle of Man.  One of the three contracts refers to helicopter EMS.

Manx Care has secured the Isle of Man’s emergency air bridge to provide patient transfer services for the next five years, following the completion of a comprehensive Air Tender process.

The tender reviewed and awarded a range of critical services that support urgent and life‑saving transfers between the Island and specialist centres in the United Kingdom.

Will Bellamy, Divisional Director for Ambulance and Transfer Services at Manx Care, said:

‘Securing the Island’s emergency air bridge services for the next five years is a significant step in protecting access to specialist care for our population.

These contracts ensure continuity, resilience and long‑term stability across the full range of patient transfer services, while maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality and patient outcomes.’

As a result of the tender process:

• Interhospital Transfer and Repatriation Service (Fixed Wing Air Ambulance) has been awarded to incumbent provider IAS Medical Lt
• Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) has been awarded to the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS)
• UK Road Ambulance Provision, supporting onward transfers from UK airports to receiving hospitals, has been awarded to Spark UK Medical Ltd

All contracts have been awarded for an initial five‑year term, with the option to extend for a further two years, supporting continuity across the Island’s emergency and patient transfer services.

The Isle of Man’s emergency air bridge plays a vital role in ensuring patients who are seriously ill or who have suffered major trauma can be transferred quickly to specialist centres in the UK for life‑saving treatment. Working alongside the Isle of Man Ambulance Service (IMAS), air ambulance clinicians provide advanced pre‑hospital care and enable direct transfers to centres of excellence, including major trauma and specialist cardiac hospitals.

Peter Roberts, Managing Director at IAS Medical, said:

‘We are pleased to continue supporting Manx Care and the Isle of Man through the delivery of fixed‑wing air ambulance and repatriation services over the next five years. The emergency air bridge is a lifeline for patients who need rapid access to specialist care, and we are proud to help ensure transfers are delivered safely, reliably and to the highest clinical standards.

This long‑term contract provides valuable stability and allows us to build on our close partnership with Manx Care and the Isle of Man Ambulance Service.’

Joe Garcia MBE, Chief Executive Officer at GNAAS, said:

‘We are delighted to continue our partnership with Manx Care and provide a critical care service to the Isle of Man population. On average we’re responding to around 20 incidents a year, and we are grateful to Manx Care and the Isle of Man community for their help in funding these missions. If we can raise sufficient funds to support our costs, we will be able to reduce the contribution required from Manx Care and develop our exciting future plans on how we can begin to extend the service we provide into a day and night time service across the region. The long-term commitment of this new contract will help to support this transformational development.’

Laura Parry, Head of Ambulance Operations at Spark UK Medical, commented:

‘We are proud to support the Isle of Man’s emergency air bridge by providing UK road ambulance services that ensure safe and timely onward transfers for patients requiring specialist care. Working closely with Manx Care and partner services, our focus is on delivering high‑quality, patient‑centred care and continuity throughout the transfer journey.’

The completion of the Air Tender ensures that Manx Care can continue to deliver high‑quality, reliable and responsive emergency transfer services, supporting the ongoing provision of safe and effective care for Isle of Man residents.