HEMS…

HEMS is the mainstay of Air Ambulance operations in the UK. It is where a specialist medical team is flown to the site of an incident, delivering a high level of care on the scene. The patient will then be transported by road or air to the nearest hospital or major trauma centre. A helicopter flying a HEMS mission is given priority in airspace controlled by the CAA.

Here in the Channel Islands, we will be operating a HEMS service to the islands of Alderney, Herm, Sark, Jethou and Brecqhou where there are limited medical facilities on island. Our medical team will land at pre risk assessed and agreed landing sites, supporting the on-scene medical staff and transfer the patient to either Jersey, Guernsey or in rare occasions directly to the UK. 

HEMS missions are time-critical and it is the reason we will have a paramedic on our team ready to be airborne within a few minutes. If we are flying alternative missions, e.g. a medical transfer to the UK where a patient will likely be in the care of a flight doctor and nurse, we will aim to have a paramedic on board in case we are tasked to a HEMS mission on the return journey.

It is not envisaged that will be performing a HEMS service in Jersey or Guernsey, although in time we may investigate and risk asses a number of landing sites in hard to reach areas, e.g. castles.