Airmedic and Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur-de-Montréal to provide HEMS services to the Canadian Grand Prix
FIA requirements stipulate that a helicopter service must be available at all times for medical evacuations
The 2023 Canada Grand Prix organization has asked Airmedic and the Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur-de-Montréal trauma center to provide critical care and emergency medical transport by helicopter from the Grand Prix site.
From 15–18 June, a dedicated team of doctors, respiratory therapists, nurses and pilots will be working together to provide healthcare and emergency airlifts.
According to the FIA requirements, it is mandatory to have a helicopter service that is available at all times for medical evacuations. Airmedic will be providing two dedicated BK117 helicopters from its fleet specifically designed for critical care. At all times, one helicopter will be positioned on the helipad next to the field hospital while the second helicopter will be positioned at La Mare au Diable, at the north end of the island.
Sophie Larochelle, Chief Executive Officer at Airmedic, said: “We are proud of the trust placed in us by the Canadian Grand Prix organization and Sacré-Coeur Hospital. This long-standing partnership is evidence of the expertise and professionalism of our Airmedic teams and demonstrates how well we work within the pre-hospital system in partnership with other highly trained professionals. We are ready to respond whenever and wherever we’re needed.”
Dr Ronald Denis, Director of Medical Program at Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur-de-Montréal trauma center, added: “For the past 30 years, the Sacré-Coeur Hospital trauma team is proud to ensure medical care during the Canada Grand Prix. We know that we have highly trained experts who will be ready to provide care and evacuate a patient if needed.”
Five major simulations and ground training will be conducted with the inter-disciplinary trauma teams to ensure effective and efficient inter-hospital in-flight care.
Airmedic recently started construction of a new hangar in Québec to increase its operational capabilities.