STARS air ambulance flew 94 missions to Red Deer to transfer critical patients last year.
During the 2023-24 fiscal year, Shock Trauma Air Rescue Services (STARS) flew a total of 1,633 missions in Alberta. When flight crews went to Red Deer, they usually landed at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre's helipad to pick up patients.
STARS also flew to other Central Alberta communities including: 70 missions to Wetaskiwin; 17 missions each to Rocky Mountain House, Olds and Sundre; 14 to Three Hills; 13 to Ponoka; 12 each to Stettler and Didsbury; nine to Innisfail; eight to Lacombe; five each to Coronation and Sunchild First Nation; four each to Penhold, Nordegg, Rimbey, Castor and Caroline; three each to Maskwacis and Bowden; and two each to Sylvan Lake and Cremona.
Mike Lamacchia, STARS chief operating officer for provincial operations, said that in recent years, Red Deer has been the most frequent destination for STARS across the province. Previously, most STARS missions went to Lethbridge, which saw 80 missions last year.
While it's difficult to predict volume, Red Deer and Lethbridge are always the busiest, he said.
Wetaskiwin Hospital, which serves local First Nations and other communities, is another Central Alberta hospital where STARS land more often.
He said most of the time, STARS flies to Red Deer to pick up patients destined for Calgary or Edmonton, and a very small percentage of flights bring Central Albertans to Red Deer Hospital.
"Because of the capability of the Red Deer hospital, there are times we can actually bring that patient to Red Deer to be looked after there," said Lamacchi, depending on patients' medical needs.
Last week the province announced a new 10-year funding agreement with STARS to provide $15 million per year, up from $6.3 million annually in its 2010 expired agreement.
Lamacchi said costs have significantly increased over the last 14 years, including fuel, maintaining and purchasing aircraft, medical costs and staff.
"With all the inflationary costs and pressures, (provincial funding) provides a great funding resource for us to continue our services."
Forty-two per cent of STARS funding comes from the province, with the remaining generated by major gifts, municipal support, individual donors, events, and the annual STARS Lottery.
"It's always a challenge to ensure we maintain the funding levels. Every year we reach our goals and some years it's tougher. The lottery has been a mainstay fundraiser for us. It's such a success. We've been raising $10 million net annually through the lottery."
Red Deer and Central Alberta have been very supportive of STARS, he added.
"We couldn't do it without them. We thank you," Lamacchi said.
The province said STARS has a proven track record of delivering exceptional care under challenging circumstances, and the funding partnership will reinforce STARS as a cornerstone of Alberta’s EMS network.
The new contract aims to set new standards for emergency medical response and improve outcomes for patients by stabilizing air ambulance services and strengthening health care delivery across Alberta.
“Albertans across the province face challenges accessing health care. In locations with limited road infrastructure, air ambulance operations are critical to support urgent and emergent health care needs. This 10-year contract will provide a new era of resilience and preparedness in communities," said Martin Long, parliamentary secretary for rural health, in a statement.