A LOCAL cruise company could help transfer critically-ill patients across The Solent, says the Isle of Wight NHS Trust.

Solent and Wightline Cruises is prepared to transport patients who need urgent and emergency care at hospitals on the mainland.

Modifications have been made to its boat so it can accommodate a stretcher.

New fixings on the lounge passenger floor will keep stretchers secure.

Training exercises have taken place on the Solent to make sure the system works, says the Trust.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Cowes-based Solent and Wightline Cruises, which normally runs boat trips around Portsmouth Harbour, is to be on standby to receive patients from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service.

Its service will run alongside one already being provided by Hovertravel and will be used if weather restrictions mean the hovercrafts are unable to operate.

Victoria White, Head of Ambulance Service said: “This continues the work we have been undertaking to enable those patients who need to be transferred across the water for urgent care.

“Working together with Hovertravel and Solent & Wightline Cruises will enable us to facilitate transfers at any time of the day or night and in all weather conditions which is vital and we are incredibly grateful to both partners for this support.”     

Lee Rayment, Managing Director, Solent & Wightline Cruises said: “As an Island-based business operating for nearly 50 years, we are only too pleased to continue to assist the NHS Trust which we have done for many years.

"This will also be helping those on the Isle of Wight when their medical needs require specialist treatment, especially during these unprecedented times with restricted ferry availability. Our own premises in Cowes will allow easy access and discreet private departures.”

A transfer from the Isle of Wight to Southampton or Portsmouth will take around 45 minutes.

Patients would be transferred to the care of South Central Ambulance Service.

"This new service is a vital lifeline"

- Andrew Williamson, Portsmouth International Port

Andrew Williamson, Passenger Operations Manager at Portsmouth International Port added: “This new service is a vital lifeline that ensures patients from the Isle of Wight can continue to receive the treatment they need, despite the challenges that the pandemic has presented.

“We’re all in this together, so we are proud that we can play our part by receiving ships at the port and facilitate patient transfers to nearby hospitals. The Queen Alexandra hospital is only 10 minutes’ drive from the port, so we’re ideally placed to ensure ambulance journey times are kept to a minimum.”