Manx Care Secures Isle of Man Emergency Air Bridge Services for Next Five Years

Manx Care has officially secured the Isle of Man’s emergency air bridge and patient transfer services through a new five-year agreement. Following a comprehensive Air Tender process, these contracts ensure that residents facing life-threatening conditions or major trauma have reliable, swift access to specialist medical centers in the United Kingdom.

The “emergency air bridge” is a critical healthcare lifeline, allowing the transfer of seriously ill patients to centers of excellence, including major trauma and specialist cardiac hospitals. By working alongside the Isle of Man Ambulance Service (IMAS), these air ambulance clinicians provide advanced pre-hospital care and facilitate direct transfers to the UK.

Breakdown of the New Service Contracts

The tender process has awarded three distinct components of the patient transfer network to specialized providers. Each contract is set for an initial five-year term, with an option to extend for an additional two years to maintain long-term stability.

• Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS): Awarded to the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).
• Interhospital Transfer and Repatriation Service (Fixed Wing): Awarded to the incumbent provider, IAS Medical Ltd.
• UK Road Ambulance Provision: Awarded to Spark UK Medical Ltd, which handles the onward transfers from UK airports to receiving hospitals.

“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,” said Will Bellamy, Divisional Director for Ambulance and Transfer Services at Manx Care. “These contracts ensure continuity, resilience and long-term stability across the full range of patient transfer services.”

Overcoming Previous Funding Uncertainties

The announcement brings a period of stability after a time of uncertainty regarding the island’s helicopter services. In March 2025, Manx Care indicated it could not continue funding a monthly retainer for the GNAAS helicopter service. This led to a temporary one-year contract starting April 1, 2025, which transitioned funding to a per-mission basis and required GNAAS to increase its own fundraising efforts.

According to GNAAS chief executive Joe Garcia, the organization responds to approximately 20 incidents per year involving the Isle of Man. The new five-year deal resolves these short-term arrangements, replacing them with a resilient long-term framework.

Key Takeaways for Residents

• Duration: The services are secured for five years, with a possible two-year extension.
• Scope: Covers the entire transfer chain—from helicopter and fixed-wing flights to UK road ambulances.
• Purpose: Specifically designed for patients who are seriously ill or have suffered major trauma requiring specialist UK treatment.
• Stability: The comprehensive tender process removes the funding uncertainty experienced in 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the “Emergency Air Bridge”?

The emergency air bridge is a coordinated system of helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft, supported by road ambulances in the UK, that transports critically ill or injured patients from the Isle of Man to specialist hospitals in the UK.

Who provides the helicopter service?

The Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) is provided by the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), which has offered an emergency response since 2022.

How are patients transported once they land in the UK?

Spark UK Medical Ltd provides the road ambulance services necessary to ensure patients are transferred safely and timely from UK airports to their receiving hospitals.

With these contracts now in place, Manx Care has established a stable foundation for emergency medical transfers, ensuring that the Isle of Man population maintains uninterrupted access to life-saving specialist care.