17 April 2012
Islanders who need emergency medical treatment in the UK are benefitting from a new state of the art stretcher and transfer equipment which has been bought for Jersey’s air ambulance service.
The stretcher, which is made by the American company Lifeport, is now being used to replace an old one. In addition, special mounts for monitoring equipment and new equipment bags were donated.
Jersey’s Emergency Transfer Service (JETS) co-ordinator, Ryan McNay, said that the stretcher would be used extensively by the JETS team in the years to come.
He said "Last year, there were over 300 air ambulance flights between Jersey and the UK, nearly 1 every day of the year, so you can see how much a stretcher is used. We need them to be lightweight, user-friendly and provide durability because of the extensive use they get. The Lifeport component system is widely regarded as one of the best available on the market. The additional equipment will make the medical team job much easier when transferring seriously ill patients for treatment in the UK. We are very, very grateful to the League of Friends for their very generous help and support."
Carole Penfold, honorary treasurer for the League of Friends added "The League of Friends was delighted to be able to buy the stretcher for the JETS team. Our link with emergency care in the UK is very important, and it is wonderful that the money raised through the work of the League of Friends is being used to provide this essential piece of equipment."
In the past, the League of Friends has supported the JETS team by providing other essential equipment, such as an incubator for babies who need specialist treatment in the UK.
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