McGrigor repeats calls for Islanders to be retained

Ahead of Thursday night’s debate in Parliament on air ambulance cover for Orkney, Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor, who will speak in the debate, has called for the Executive to retain the Loganair-operated Islander aircraft as emergency cover.

Jamie McGrigor said “I welcome Thursday’s debate as the provision of air ambulance cover to the islands was one of the key issues raised during a meeting I held with Orkney Islands Council convenor Stephen Hagan last summer.

“It was an issue I raised with the Health Minister then as there is real feeling that local concerns are not being listened to by the Executive. Communities like Orkney need to be able to have confidence in their emergency health provision and the air ambulance is a crucial part of that.

“Retaining the Islanders on an emergency only basis was estimated to cost around £100,000, a relatively small amount when considered the new contract to run air ambulance cover is costing £70m over 5-7 years.

“The Executive should reconsider its position and retain the Islanders for emergency cover”.