Manx Care says GNAAS 'unable to deliver a satisfactory solution' to funding dispute

Health body "intends to continue our negotiations"

Manx Care has provided further clarification on the ongoing discussions surrounding the future of the Great North Air Ambulance Service in the Isle of Man.

It's after the charity told Manx Radio it can't absorb the cost of running the service to the Island.

That's due to the additional cost to the charity to service the Isle of Man, as extra equipment is needed to operate the service over the sea.

In a statement, Manx Care explained that the use of GNAAS as part of the Island’s emergency medical services began in 2022, initially funded by the transformation fund before the cost was later transferred to Manx Care.

Since December 2023, Manx Care has been in extended discussions with GNAAS, exploring the sustainability of the retainer fee that had been previously paid.

Manx Care acknowledged that the current arrangement, which includes a retainer fee, was no longer financially viable, and discussions have centred around a per-mission costing model.

Alternatively, GNAAS was encouraged to explore increasing its charitable contributions in line with its UK funding model to meet the cost of the retainer.

However, Manx Care said that GNAAS has been unable to deliver a satisfactory solution, instead offering three annual repayment proposals that included the retainer fee.

The healthcare body noted that these proposals were not feasible, and as such, the continuation of the service, as originally outlined in 2023, may not be sustainable with the current funding.

Despite this, Manx Care confirmed that negotiations with GNAAS will continue in hopes of finding a workable solution.

In the interim, the healthcare body is reassuring the public that services would continue at the same level, provided through a combination of GNAAS, the Isle of Man's fixed-wing aircraft, and the H.M. Coastguard helicopter.