Flying doctor scheme set to be extended

RURAL parts of Scotland are set to benefit from a new flying doctor service following a successful pilot.

The Emergency Medical Retrieval Service (EMRS) dispatches doctors by helicopter to treat seriously ill patients in remote parts of the country.

Following a successful pilot in the West of Scotland, health secretary Nicola Sturgeon announced today that the pilot would be extended across the whole of the country.

The Scottish Government will be providing funding of about 2 million a year for the extended EMRS scheme, which will have two teams providing nationwide medical cover from October this year.

"Critical illness and injury can happen anywhere. Patients will often be some distance from the essential medical treatment they need, she said.

"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."

The EMRS scheme operates in addition to the air ambulance service provided by the Scottish Ambulance Service.