AIR AMBULANCE TO RECEIVE NEW AIRCRAFT

Saskatchewan is replacing two of its air ambulances with two new aircraft.

Health Minister Len Taylor and Saskatchewan Property Management Minister Eldon Lautermilch announced today that $12 million is being invested in two King Air B200 aircraft, which will ensure Saskatchewan families continue to have safe, rapid access to specialized medical care.

The Saskatchewan Air Ambulance service, also known as Lifeguard, began in 1946 with a single engine aircraft and three staff members.  Today, its three turboprop aircraft make more than 1,300 trips and fly nearly 1,000,000 kilometres annually, and demand is growing.

“Lifeguard is a testimony to the principle of equitable health care access for all, and to the spirit of innovation, compassion and courage on which our province is built,” Taylor said.  “This funding recognizes the vital role the service plays in our health care system.  It is an investment in our future, and supports our goal of making life better today for Saskatchewan families.”

“Every day, Lifeguard makes an immediate and dramatic difference in the lives of patients and their families,” Lautermilch said.  “We are extremely pleased to provide the resources to ensure this pioneering service continues to meet the needs of Saskatchewan people.”

“These state of the art aircraft are the most reliable and capable currently available for air ambulance work,” Saskatchewan Air Ambulance services director Chris Oleson said.  “The fleet renewal allows us to maintain a high standard of service to Saskatchewan residents in need of critical medical service.”

“We have an exceptional team, but it takes both expertise and high quality equipment to offer the service we provide,” Saskatoon Health Regions Debra Gudmundson, who oversees air ambulance clinical operations, said.  “We are thrilled that the province is supporting Air Ambulance and its patients by providing the aircraft needed to maintain this vital service.”

Lifeguard is a provincial program funded and administered by Saskatchewan Health.  Saskatchewan Property Management provides aviation services, and Saskatoon Health Region provides air medical staff.  The service transports patients from remote communities to larger centres within Saskatchewan, and also takes patients outside of the province if they require highly specialized treatment not available in Saskatchewan.

When the two new aircraft come into service in mid-2007, Lifeguard’s oldest aircraft, a 1990 Piper Cheyenne III-A, will be retired, and one of the service’s older planes will be reassigned to Executive Air Services.

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For more information, contact:

Joan Petrie
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083

Maureen Boyle
Saskatchewan Property Management
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5959

Kerilyn Voigt
Saskatoon Health Region
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-655-3386