Basically there is a shortage of ATPL rated pilots in the HEMS game so the P2's can't log anything. The system of acquiring meaningful hours for the inexperienced has broken.
as an ATPL of many years and hours in 5 figures, about 2 years ago when I looked at the pre-requisites to join I didn’t meet the criteria to join as a captain due to a lack of NVG hours, and the application i did put in didn’t even merit a reply it turned out, so no wonder there is a shortage of ATPL rated pilots if this is a common experience.
Anyway it doesn’t matter now as I have something else, but the pay and retention in this sector does seem to be a big problem, and I wonder how long it will be before people are paid properly.