On Thursday 23 May, 2024, a patient on the Isle of Wight faced a serious medical challenge when locally available antibiotics failed to provide relief for a persistent infection. As a last resort, the patient needed a treatment using donor materials, only available from the University of Birmingham Microbiome Treatment Centre.
However, there was a major obstacle in the way. The material, once prepared, has an extremely short shelf life and the time it takes to transport it via road and ferry from Birmingham to the Isle of Wight posed a significant problem.
In such a dire situation, the NHS turned to Civil Air Support (CAS) for assistance. Working in collaboration with regional-based Blood Bike groups, CAS offers the logistical capability, human resources, and equipment necessary for urgent responses. As charitable organizations funded by donations and operated entirely by volunteers, CAS and Blood Bikes offer their services free of charge.
Upon receiving the urgent request, CAS Operations Manager Tim Bennett quickly sprang into action. He coordinated the collection of the sample from the MTC and its delivery to Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport by Shropshire Blood Bikes.
The next challenge was to mobilize a capable crew and suitable aircraft from the CAS fleet. Considering the uncertain weather conditions expected on the route and the time-sensitive nature of the material, the CAS operations team determined that a fast aircraft capable of flying in IMC (Instrument Meteorological Conditions) was required.
CAS Pilot Rob Devey, based at Lee on Solent, volunteered for the mission. His TBM 960 was the perfect aircraft for the job, with a top cruising speed of 330 knots and the ability to fly in any weather conditions.
With Tim Bennett on board as an observer, the aircraft was repositioned to Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green on Friday morning after a quick 37-minute flight from Lee on Solent. The life-saving sample was handed over to the crew by Blood Bikes rider Bill Rooney, and the emergency flight departed immediately for Bembridge Airport on the Isle of Wight.
Flying at 6,000 feet, the flight received assistance from a traffic information service and a smooth handover between Air Traffic Controllers at Brize Norton and Farnborough. Rob expertly landed the turboprop aircraft on runway 30 at Bembridge just 34 minutes after takeoff, where a medical team from the Isle of Wight NHS Trust was waiting.
A representative of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust expressed gratitude and acknowledged the invaluable contribution of the CAS team. They stated, “Without the help of Rob’s crew, CAS, and Blood Bikes, we’d simply have no way of getting the material to the patient before it expires. We are extremely grateful for their help in organizing and carrying out the transport.”
CAS would also like to extend sincere thanks to Tony Hall at Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport and the owners of Bembridge and Lee on Solent airports for waiving all landing and handling charges for the mission flight. This successful collaboration between CAS, Blood Bikes, and the NHS highlights the importance of teamwork and the incredible impact that can be made when individuals and organizations come together for a common cause.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.