Alderney residents reminded they do not need an ambulance subscription

The Ambulance and Rescue Service is reminding people in Alderney that they do not need to take out a subscription, due to the way the service in Alderney is funded.

Unlike Guernsey, where charges apply, ambulances in Alderney are paid for through local taxes, so charges and subscriptions do not apply. Alderney residents are also covered for ambulance call outs when they are visiting the other islands and for transfers on the Flying Christine III marine ambulance.

Chief Ambulance Officer, Mark Mapp said: “We provide a full time, professional ambulance service in Alderney, with 24/7 cover from qualified ambulance crew, however Alderney operates under a different funding model to Guernsey, which means when someone calls an ambulance in Alderney the costs are covered directly by the States of Alderney, through the tax system. So, Alderney residents don’t need a subscription.”

Mr Mapp added: “I know that previously, when the service was purely a voluntary one, people in Alderney were encouraged to donate to cover the operating costs. That changed when Ambulance and Rescue took on the professional operation. However, if anyone in Alderney wishes to support our work, we warmly welcome donations for the staff welfare fund, the Community First Responders and the Flying Christine marine ambulance, all of which rely on public generosity.”

The reminder comes following the launch of the 2026 subscription scheme in Guernsey. People in Guernsey are encouraged to buy an annual subscription costing £71 in order to avoid a bill of £585 for an emergency call.

St John Ambulance and Rescue Service was commissioned by the States of Alderney to operate the emergency and urgent care service in Alderney in 2023. Ambulance and Rescue employs a team of emergency ambulance crew, based in Alderney, with clinical governance, oversight and support from Guernsey.