The Government has announced that with limited exceptions, the Island will close its borders for at least 21 days from tonight (Thursday 26 March). Read the Chief Minister’s statement in full.
One of the exceptions covers the transfer of patients to the UK for urgent healthcare appointments. The public are reassured that the Patient Transfer service will still be able to arrange transport for anyone authorised by DHSC to travel to or from the UK in connection with an urgent healthcare appointment.
Patients with booked travel for an appointment during the next week:
Patient Transfer staff will contact all those booked to travel over the next seven days, to assess whether the need is urgent and if so to arrange travel and accommodation.
Patients due to attend an appointment in the UK, travel not yet booked:
These patients are asked to contact the Patient Transfer office so the team can assesses the need to travel in current cirumstances. If travel to the UK is urgently required, staff will make the necessary travel and accommodation arrangements.
Patients who need to return to the Island following a healthcare appointment:
Any patient currently in the UK following a healthcare appointment, including those who travelled there as a private patient, will be able to return home to the Island.
Patients who were pre-booked to return through the Patient Transfer office should receive a call to confirm details of their journey home. Anyone who arranged their own travel to the UK should call the Patient Transfer Office to arrange their journey home.
Patient Transfer office contact details and opening times:
Email: patient.transfers@gov.im
Telephone: +44 1624 642673
The Office is open 9am – 1 pm and 2pm – 5pm Monday to Friday.
In an emergency outside these hours, cases will be managed by the duty Air Ambulance coordinator via +44 1624 650000.
