PLANS HAVE been unveiled to extend Scotland’s flying doctor service throughout remote and rural parts of the country.

The service, which enables specialist doctors to fly and treat the most critically ill patients on the spot, is to be rolled out across the country following a successful pilot scheme in the West of Scotland.

The Emergency Medical Retrieval Service (EMRS) will continue from its Glasgow base with the service being extended to a two-team, one site service by October 2010, covering all of remote and rural Scotland.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: “Getting the best possible medical help to a critically ill patient, or someone who has been seriously injured, as quickly as possible, can significantly improve their chances of making a full recovery.

“But critical illness and injury can happen anywhere. Patients will often be some distance from the essential medical treatment they need.”

“That’s where the Emergency Medical Retrieval Service comes in – flying experienced accident and emergency or intensive care consultants to patients in remote and rural communities,” said Ms Sturgeon.

“This early intervention can make the difference between life and death and that’s why we have decided to establish Scotland’s flying doctors as a national service, covering all parts of rural Scotland.”

Director of Emergency Care and Medical Services at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Grant Archibald added: “I am delighted at the decision to establish the Emergency Medical Retrieval service on a two-team basis which will enable EMRS to cover all of remote and rural Scotland. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has been pleased to host the EMRS since the pilot began in June 2008 and it is, therefore, pleasing to see that the hard work and efforts of the team as well as their invaluable contribution to remote and rural healthcare have been recognised with continuation and expansion of the service following the end of the pilot period.

EMRS is part of the Scottish Ambulance Service’s existing Air Ambulance Service which is staffed by air paramedics who fly around 3000 missions a year. The extended service is expected to cost around £2 million annually.