Cost of helicopters used in TT/MGP

Summary

A request for costs related to TT/MGP rescue helicopters and medical services was partially answered by the Department of Health and Social Care, which stated it did not hold helicopter cost data but provided figures for extra staff, bed costs, and patient transfers.

Key Facts

• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold information on the costs of the three rescue helicopters used for the 2017 TT and MGP.
• Five additional orthopaedic doctors were employed for TT 2017 at a cost of £30,902.
• An additional late shift in the Anaesthetic Department cost £8,330.
• The average cost of an ICU bed for 24 hours is £1,950, while a standard ward bed costs £350.
• Nine patients were transported to Aintree Major Trauma Centre, with costs recovered via insurance or direct payment.

Data Disclosed

• 2017-09-07
• 2017-09-08
• 14 August 2017
• £30,902
• £8,330
• £1,950
• £350
• £4,350
• nine patients
• five orthopaedic doctors

Exemptions Cited

• Information not held

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Health and Social Care

Rheynn Slaynt as Kiarail y Theay

Page 1 of 3 FOIA/DHSC/rvsd/01

Chief Executive: Malcolm Couch Address Freedom of Information Team Department of Health & Social Care Chief Executive’s Office Crookall House Demesne Road Douglas Isle of Man, IM1 3QA Tel: Email: Website: Date: FOI Reference: (01624) 642621 foi.dhsc@gov.im www.gov.im/dhsc 07 September 2017 IM99-083i

Dear
REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2015 (“the Act”) Thank you for your request to the Department of Health and Social Care, dated 14 August 2017

Your request You asked for: Question 01: “What are the costs to the government of the three rescue helicopters used in connection with the 2017 TT and MGP/Festival of Motorcycling?” Question 02: “What are the costs of employing extra medical staff for the events mentioned in question 1?”
Question 03: “What is the cost of an occupied bed per 24 hours in the ITU?” Question 04: “What is the cost of an occupied bed per 24 hours in a regular ward?”
Question 05: “What was the cost of transporting patients by aircraft from the island to hospitals in the UK during the 2017 TT period?”

Page 2 of 3 FOIA/DHSC/rvsd/01 Response to your request We are pleased to be able to provide a response to your request with answers to your questions: Question 01: What are the costs to the government of the three rescue helicopters used in connection with the 2017 TT and MGP/Festival of Motorcycling? While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Department of Health and Social Care does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested in Question 01. However, you may wish to contact the Department of Infrastructure’s Freedom of Information Team who may be able to help you. Question 02: What are the costs of employing extra medical staff for the events mentioned in Question 01? In response to Question 02, during TT 2017 we employed an additional five orthopaedic doctors to provide an additional layer of medical cover to help manage trauma; this cost £30,902. We also staffed an additional late shift within the Anaesthetic Department to provide additional evening cover for both the hospital and the Air Ambulance Service; this cost £8,330. We are not planning to bring in any additional staff or staff any additional shifts during FOM. Question 03: What is the cost of an occupied bed per 24 hours in the ITU? In response to Question 03, the average cost of an ICU bed for 24 hours is £1,950, however this will depend on the level of support the patient is receiving. Question 04: What is the cost of an occupied bed per 24 hours in a regular ward In response to Question 04, the average cost of a standard ward bed is £350 for 24 hours. Question 05: What was the cost of transporting patients by aircraft from the island to hospitals in the UK during the 2017 TT period? In response to Question 05, the average cost of a critical care transfer via Air Ambulance is £4,350. We transported nine patients to Aintree Major Trauma Centre due to TT-related injuries. All these patients were UK or overseas residents and therefore cost of the transfer was recovered via travel insurance or direct pay by the patient or relatives. Your right to request a review
If you are unhappy with this response to your Freedom of Information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post to the FOI Co-ordinator, Department of Health & Social Care, Chief Executive’s Officer, Crookall House, Demesne Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 3QA. An electronic version and paper version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/freedom-of- information/freedom-of-information-review-request/. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

Page 3 of 3 FOIA/DHSC/rvsd/01 If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on:

1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act; or
2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
   In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision.
   Further information about Freedom of Information requests can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at: www.inforights.im/information-centre/freedom-of-information. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact us. Yours Sincerely

Freedom of Information Team Department of Health and Social Care