Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance grounded by East Midlands Ambulance Trust due to ‘administrative oversight’ over drug licence
A life-saving air ambulance has been grounded after an ‘administrative oversight’ over its drug licence.
The Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance (LNAA) — which is funded by donations and costs about £13 million a year to run — cannot currently be dispatched to patients as it is not able to supply controlled drugs to patients.
The ambucopter plays a key role in cutting the time take for seriously ill patients to get to hospital — and in October alone was called out to 141 incidents.
The craft’s use was suspended by East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) on Friday (January 31) as there is a ‘higher risk to patient safety’ if controlled drugs cannot be used — and LIVES first responders have been alerted to the fact it is not available for use.
It is said that the LNAA is working with the Home Office on the controlled drugs licence issue — but a spokesman was unable to provide a timeline for when the ambucopter could get back in the air.
John Wright, East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust Strategic Commander, said: “Due to an administrative oversight, Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) have made us aware that they are currently unable to store or supply controlled drugs.
“Patient safety is our highest priority at EMAS. Patients calling 999 for life-threatening emergency help will continue to be triaged and ambulance service resources dispatched appropriately, as normal.
“We have a number of enhanced care resources available at EMAS including our Specialist Practitioners, EMICS volunteer doctors, and other air ambulance partners.
"We are supporting LNAA however we can, including working with them to explore safe alternative deployment and support options, and expediated renewal of their controlled drugs licence."
The Magpas air ambulance does attend some incidents in Lincolnshire. We have asked if this is able to be deployed more regularly while the county’s ambucopter is grounded.