Guernsey and Jersey are working together to secure a new contract for the islands’ air ambulance service.
The current contract with Gama Aviation is due to expire soon, so both islands recently went to tender for a new provider.
That tender closed at the end of July, with details expected to be confirmed once a new air ambulance contract is secured.
Guernsey’s Health and Social Care committee said looking for a new operator is not a slight against Gama Aviation or its service over the past five years, but is intended to ensure both islands receive the best value they can for tax payers money.
“Undertaking these procurement activities is no reflection on the current service received but follows best practice to ensure both islands receive best value for money for their taxpayers,” explained a HSC spokesperson.
The spokesperson also said that just because the current contract is for both Guernsey and Jersey’s air ambulance service, and the tender is a joint one, the islands might go their separate ways – as they did when looking to sign new ferry contracts last year.
“This process begins with a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ), allowing interested parties to express their interest and provide preliminary information to assess a potential supplier’s suitability and eligibility before they are invited to subsequent stages of the tendering process. While HSC is exploring shared opportunities, there is no obligation to make a joint award.
“The procurement process is designed to be flexible, allowing us to award a contract to a single supplier or to two separate suppliers, depending on what best meets the operational and commercial needs of each jurisdiction,” the spokesperson said.
Gama Aviation has had the contract to run Guernsey and Jersey’s air ambulance services since August 2020.
Operating Beechcraft King Air B200 aircraft, Gama provides a 24-hour, 365-days-a-year service between the Channel Islands and UK mainland health services.
The air ambulance service is needed for critically ill patients who need emergency health care that is not available on island.
This most often involves patients flying to Southampton for neurosurgical or cardiology services, and London for other specialisms. Patients can be flown elsewhere if needed.