Wrong-island medevac was individual error
NHS Grampian has ruled that the mishap was a one-off due to human error.
After investigating a mission where an air ambulance crew was sent to the wrong Scottish island, NHS Grampian has ruled that the mishap was a one-off due to human error.
In March, a Scottish Ambulance Service King Air plane was dispatched to Shetland carrying a crew and an incubator, in order to transport an infant in need of care. However, on arrival, the crew discovered that the patient was in fact on Orkney, some 120 miles (190 km) to the southwest. The plane then flew to Orkney, and the patient was retrieved from Balfour Hospital for onward flight to Aberdeen some nine hours after the original request was received.
NHS Grampian said: “Following a full investigation, it is clear this incident was the result of individual staff error and not symptomatic of wider issues. We have reminded all staff about the importance of clearly establishing transfer requirements and communicating these to the Scottish Ambulance Service. We would take this opportunity to apologise again to the family involved for any distress caused.”
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We have reviewed the circumstances around this incident and we are satisfied that the Service took appropriate action at the earliest possible opportunity to ensure patient safety was not compromised."