Southeast residents express concern about status of medical chopper
Steinbach MLA, Kelvin Goertzen, says a decision or information about air-ambulance service is needed as it has now been more than two months since the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) helicopter was grounded.
“There is agreement that we need an air ambulance and residents in rural Manitoba particularly benefit from it at critical times,” said Goertzen. “When STARS was suspended in December the NDP Minister of Health indicated that following a review there would be a decision on its service early in January. Every day that goes by without a decision is a day that we are without this service should it be needed,” said Goertzen.
The STARS helicopter when it was in service made many flights to southeastern Manitoba to respond to emergencies such as vehicle crashes or other critical incidents. Goertzen says he has been getting questions from local residents about the future of air ambulance service in Manitoba and when the STARS review will be complete.
“Days have turned into weeks and weeks into months and we still don’t have an answer about air ambulance service in Manitoba,” said Goertzen. “Everyone seems to agree that an air ambulance service can save lives so we need to get an answer and some direction on the status of STARS and air ambulance service.”
STARS began a formal agreement with the province in 2011 to provide air-ambulance service and since then had flown 690 missions and transported 430 patients. It also operates in Saskatchewan and Alberta, where it began in 1985, and has never been suspended in those provinces.
