Offshore staff
ABERDEEN, UK – Healthcare provider Iqarus is extending to the southern North Sea its service for managing suspected coronavirus cases following their disembarkation from an offshore location.
The company says its Covid-19 Medevac (CMED) service in Aberdeen has been caring for on average two patients a day. This is now available in the southern North Sea via one of the company’s partners in Norwich on the English east coast.
The CMED service is said to determine whether an offshore worker is fit to travel, and provides advice from the Iqarus clinical team, developed in accordance with Health Protection Scotland guidance.
During the busiest weekend 22 patients that were either displaying symptoms or had been in contact with someone who had tested positive case were assessed and transported back ashore through the CMED service.
Iqarus has been working with its clients to help them mitigate their risk, providing advice on how best to safely continue operations.
Its newest service assists companies with the receipt, transfer, and assessment of suspected cases of COVID-19 from heliports, allowing offshore duty holders to meet their obligation in terms of assessing patients and deciding whether they are fit to continue travel.
Dr Stuart Scott, clinical director, offshore, topside and diving at Iqarus, said: “Offshore assets are confined spaces, with plenty of movement by multi-national staff on and off the rig, usually by helicopter between onshore bases in the UK and Norway.”
The company can now offer what it describes as clinically appropriate transport from Norwich heliports to its dedicated reception center.
Following an initial offshore assessment by the asset’s medic, the patient will be transported via specially adapted helicopters said to meet full hygiene standards for each trip. On arrival onshore the patient is examined, with specialist clinicians advising on suitability for onward travel, or referring patients to the next point of assessment.
04/23/2020
