Tell us about your business: –
SkyCare Repatriation was established after nine years of conducting ground ambulance repatriations from Europe. Throughout this time, we observed that some patients were opting for air ambulance services, which we consistently recommended to patients with the budget to do so, as it is much quicker to get back to a UK hospital.
As a result, two years ago, we made the strategic decision to invest in a brand-new Pilatus PC-12 NGX aircraft, which is expected to arrive in Q1 2025. Recognising the substantial nature of this investment, our focus was on equipping the aircraft with top-tier medical facilities and personnel to uphold our stringent company standards and those of the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The aircraft will be meticulously outfitted to resemble an intensive care bed, complete with essential medical equipment, and will be staffed by highly skilled NHS ITU doctors and nurses capable of managing patients at altitude. Currently, we are actively exploring the acquisition of a longer-range jet to accommodate repatriation requests outside of Europe, pending external investment.
What is your role within your organisation?
I serve as the Managing Director of SkyCare Repatriation, a UK-based European medical air repatriation service providing critical and non-critical patient air transport from our headquarters at London Biggin Hill. SkyCare operates alongside my existing road ambulance company, under the BM Ambulance Group umbrella.
My role includes overseeing operations at our ambulance base near Ashford, Kent, and managing the SkyCare office at London Biggin Hill, with occasional visits to our satellite base in Alicante, Spain.
The selection of the Pilatus PC-12 NGX, tailored for fixed-wing air ambulance operations, reflects our commitment to providing efficient European access for both private and commercial clients. Our comprehensive services encompass bed-to-bed medical repatriations with our specialised air ambulance configuration, as well as executive charter flights featuring the executive seating layouts.
Assisted by an exceptional team, we continuously refine our offerings to deliver a top-tier service. I am confident that our choice of aircraft, strategic operational locations, and access to locally based, specialised medical personnel will facilitate sustained growth and enable us to assist countless individuals to return home safely.
In my spare time, I enjoy flying, having held my PPL for just over 28 years.
What are your business highlights?
Our accomplishments during the Covid-19 pandemic, as outlined below, highlight the collective effort of our exceptional team. We are the largest privately-owned Ambulance Service in Kent, and through our repatriation work, we have established a reputation for excellence across Europe. Our esteemed brand, founded on strong values, consistently receives praise from our service users.
Driven by a dedication to ongoing improvement, we are committed to identifying the small gains that elevate our service to new levels. Embracing this philosophy is what makes our work truly fulfilling.
How did you show resilience in the pandemic?
Throughout the pandemic, our team operated tirelessly, often with little rest. During the day, we transported COVID-19 patients to and from hospital appointments, lifesaving dialysis and for medical treatments. At night, we conducted the unenviable task of transferring members of the public who had succumbed to COVID-19 to temporary mortuaries in London. It was an incredibly challenging time for all our staff, who faced daily battles to fulfil requests from the NHS and the City of London.
By the end of the pandemic, our staff numbers had nearly tripled to meet the heightened demands of our customers, demonstrating our ability to react and adapt according to need. Additionally, COVID-19 lead to an increased number of patients requiring repatriation from Europe as with travel restrictions enforced, patients were only permitted to cross borders in an ambulance.
Looking back on the time of the pandemic, I take immense pride in all our accomplishments and at the resilience of our team in unprecedented era.
What do you hope to gain from your membership to BBGA?
By becoming members of BBGA we aim to capitalise on information sharing and learning opportunities within the aviation industry. We recognise the aviation sector’s proficiency in continuous learning and acknowledge the disparity in this aspect within the medical sector, as highlighted in the book “Black Box Thinking.”
As newcomers to aviation, our priority is to acquire comprehensive knowledge, seek direction from industry experts, and make informed decisions. The support and guidance offered by BBGA is invaluable to us, providing us with platform for networking and collaboration with like-minded professionals.
What can you offer other BBGA Members who may be interested in your organisation?
Based in London Biggin Hill, SkyCare offers rapid medical air repatriation and executive charter flights.
SkyCare Repatriation is a trusted private ambulance service that has completed over 600 repatriations across Europe since 2015. Our specialty is transporting individuals in need of medical care to receive treatment in their home country. As part of the BM Group, we have access to a fleet of modern HDU and cardiac ambulances, secure vans, and ambulance cars, and can provide a wide range of patient transport solutions. Additionally, our ISOVAC CAPSULS Portable Patient Isolation Unit enables us to transfer infectious patients or those undergoing aerosol-generating procedures (AGP) and is suitable for road or air transportation.
Our commitment to investment in state-of-the-art equipment, safety, professionalism, and customer satisfaction positions us as a dependable partner for all BBGA members. We are known for our attention to detail, exceptional customer care, and providing a seamless and stress-free experience in all aspects of our work. SkyCare aims to expand across Europe with the support of BBGA members and is open to collaboration and partnership for joint ventures.
Weblink and social media links. https://skycare.uk/
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skycare-repatriation/mycompany/
