Scottish Ambulance Service Air Ambulance

The Scottish Ambulance Service air ambulance operation is part of the Scottish Ambulance Service. It is wholly funded by the Scottish Government. The service flies patients across Scotland and all of its aircraft run 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The service operates two helicopters. One is based in Glasgow and one is based in Inverness. It also operates two fixed wing aircraft, one at Aberdeen Airport and one at Glasgow Airport. All aircraft are fitted out to a clinical specification developed by the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance adds two more helicopters to the fleet. These are based in Perth and Aberdeen and are available 12 hours per day. Together with the four government funded aircraft, they support the service.

The air ambulance service mainly moves patients to and from hospital from remote, rural, and island communities. It is for patients in Scotland who need transfer by air, especially in places far from a hospital. It also provides air ambulance support for ScotSTAR retrieval teams.

The aircraft are provided under a managed contract. That contract is due to expire. A project team has been set up to support the award of a new air ambulance contract. The team is consulting patients, the public, healthcare partners, and staff about how the service might develop.

The service says it must continue to run an affordable air ambulance service that gives value for money. After the consultation, the formal process to select a provider for the new contract will begin. People who want to share their views can contact the service by email.

Services

• Air ambulance transfers
• Helicopter transport
• Fixed wing transport
• ScotSTAR retrieval air support
• Patient transfers from remote and island communities