Demand higher than expected for Alderney ambulance

The first permanent full-time ambulance service for the island was launched in 2023

Alderney's ambulance service has dealt with an average of 10 calls every week since St John Ambulance and Rescue (SJARS) took over the operation.

Guernsey-based SJARS launched the new service on 1 April 2023.

It said since then the ambulance service had become "an integral part of the island's healthcare provision".

It was initially predicted there would be around three call-outs a week but that number has more than trebled, according to SJARS.

The States of Alderney appointed SJARS to run the service in October 2022, after a report found the previous model was "unsafe".

The service now employs four Alderney residents who have undertaken "extensive clinical and driver training", as well as working alongside teams in Guernsey and the Isle of Man to gain experience.

Aimee Lihou, head of quality and patient safety, thanked the crew "for their hard work and commitment".

She said: "Alderney is unique, but we have successfully designed and delivered a model which specifically meets the needs of islanders, based on the recruitment and training of local staff."

To mark the second anniversary of the new service an open day is taking place at the ambulance station.