A LIFESAVING deal has been struck between the Coastguard and hospitals across the Westcountry to help to speed up the transfer of critically-ill patients.

The collaboration is between the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Retrieve Adult Critical Care Transfer Service, the NHS organisation that provides critical care patient transfers across the South West.

The agreement formally sets out the relationship between the two organisations, with Retrieve gaining ‘Trusted Partner’ status, meaning that the service will be able to contact HM Coastguard directly for their assistance in moving seriously ill or injured patients, medical teams and equipment.

Hailed as a ‘blueprint’ for future relationships between the HM Coastguard and other transfer services across the country, the agreement will cut travel times between hospitals for specialist care.

Maritime Minister Baroness Vere said: ‘One of the Government’s priorities is to cut waiting lists, so it’s great to see this new partnership as an excellent example of how collaboration across sectors can result in improved outcomes and could ultimately save lives.

‘Patients in need of time-critical care will now have access to the services they need with greater speed and efficiency.’

The aim is to simplify the process and improve the speed and efficiency of transfer for these critical patients.  

However, the agreement is specifically designed to ensure that core search and rescue operations can be continued, while facilitating hospital transfers as effectively as possible. 

The memorandum has taken effect after being formally signed by HM Coastguard Director Claire Hughes and Alison Lowndes, Divisional Director for Surgery at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.

Claire Hughes, Director of HM Coastguard, said: ‘In serious medical situations, every second counts and this agreement will help critically ill and injured patients across the South West of England by transporting them to where they need treatment by the NHS. 

‘We’re proud to be in the first group of public bodies in England to work together in this way to make the very best use of our search and rescue helicopters, making a real difference to seriously ill adult patients.  

‘We hope this blueprint agreement is the first of many between public bodies around the country.’

Ms Lowndes said: ‘It is essential for patients who require time-critical transfer that clinical teams are able to work smoothly across organisational boundaries.

We are delighted to be working in partnership with the MCA to support our clinical teams across the South West.  

‘This agreement establishes a strong governance platform on which services can work together and share knowledge to best meet the needs of our patients when literally, every minute matters.’

The area covered by Retrieve includes all hospitals in the South West Critical Care Network from Gloucestershire to Cornwall.