Air ambulance boss urges flights despite grounding

The charity says it has been "working around the clock" to sort the issue

An air ambulance charity boss said she "truly believes" the aircraft should be flying, despite it being grounded after an admin error.

The Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) has not operated since Friday after it failed to meet a deadline to renew its licence for carrying controlled drugs.

Chief Executive Karen Jobling said she believed the air ambulance should still be allowed to operate, carrying only non-controlled drugs, until the licence is renewed.

The East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS), which deploys the aircraft, said, based on clinical advice, it had "identified a higher risk to patient safety is present without LNAA's supply of appropriate controlled drugs".

LNAA says, on average, it responds to four incidents a day

Ms Jobling said the majority of patients who use the air ambulance do not need controlled drugs, and therefore the aircraft should still be able to operate.

She said the charity and EMAS had discussed the idea of keeping the aircraft operational and using only non-controlled drugs until the licence is approved.

"We truly believe we can still operate in a different operating model but we can still be at the side of patients while we wait for the licence from the Home Office," she said.

"With the skilled level of our doctors and our paramedics, we're still able to deliver essential care to patients," Ms Jobling added.

However, EMAS said: "Based on national clinical advice and best practice, we have identified a higher risk to patient safety is present without LNAA's supply of appropriate controlled drugs."

"In interests of patient safety, and to ensure clarity to our ambulance crews attending patients over the coming days, we took the decision to temporarily stand down LNAA resources," it added.

'It's regrettable'

Ms Jobling confirmed an internal investigation had begun into why the licence was not renewed in time.

"This is an admin error. They do occur. It's regrettable," she said.

The charity, according to Ms Jobling, was "working around the clock" to reach a solution.

"We've been in daily contact with EMAS and are regularly in touch with the Home Office to check on progress about the licence," she added.

The Home Office said "We are actively discussing Lincolnshire and Nottingham Air Ambulance Charitable Trust's application with them.

"Once licences are in place they will be able to get back in the air and continue their vital work.

"We endeavour to consider applications as quickly as possible, including in cases where critical healthcare services are concerned."

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