East Midlands Ambulance Service resumes dispatch of Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance after licence issue resolved

Health bosses will allow the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance (LNAA) to fly again — after the service was grounded earlier this week due to a controlled drugs licence issue.

East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) confirmed in a statement this afternoon that it will once again be dispatching the ambucopter to support clinical care across the region.

“Following significant clinical engagement and collaborative planning, from 2.00pm today (Thursday, February 6, 2025), EMAS resumed the dispatch of Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance resources to support the provision of clinical care,” said the statement.

“Both organisations will continue to work very closely together for the benefit of our communities and to resolve the issues surrounding the controlled drugs licence.”

LNAA’s ambucopter was grounded on January 31 due to an "administrative oversight" regarding its controlled drugs licence, affecting its ability to supply essential medication during emergencies.

This suspension raised concerns for patient safety, as the ambucopter is crucial for reducing response times to life-threatening incidents.

LNAA confirmed it was working with the Home Office to resolve the issue, and EMAS assured residents at the time that patient care would continue via alternative resources.