Jason Kenney announces additional funding for STARS March 25, 2022. (Photo: Government of Alberta)

By Cathy Gibson

Alberta doubles funding for STARS air ambulance

Mar 25, 2022 | 7:07 PM

The Alberta government has announced it will double the amount of funding provided to the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS).

As part of Alberta’s increased health care spending in its 2022 budget, the province is boosting STARS funding from $7 million to more than $15 million. The province says the additional funding will cover almost half of STARS’ base operating costs.

Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping says, “More than doubling our supports for STARS ensures effective and sustainable helicopter air ambulance services for Albertans in critical situations.”

The Alberta Budget 2022 includes $64 million in additional funding for EMS, with $28 million in supports for ground and helicopter ambulance services.

Premier Jason Kenney says, “This significant increase in investment will allow STARS’ highly specialized medical crews to continue serving Albertans, especially in rural communities.”

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STARS President and CEO Andrea Robertson welcomes the additional spending, saying, “This increased funding will help us deliver critical care to more patients across Alberta for years to come. It enables us to provide care through the helicopter and ways beyond, including virtual care and by supporting our partners across the province.”

Alberta Health Services delivers emergency services throughout the province using ground, fixed-wing, and helicopter ambulance services.

The Alberta EMS Provincial Advisory Committee is trying to address system pressures. It includes a subcommittee with key partners focused on strengthening air ambulance services.

A separate independent review is expected to be completed this fall, which aims to improve the EMS dispatch system, including air ambulance dispatch processes.

Darren Sandbeck, Chief Paramedic and Senior Provincial Director of Alberta Health Services EMS says, “Helicopter air ambulance service, along with ground ambulances and fixed-wing air ambulance, are critical components of the EMS system in Alberta and one of the ways we are able to provide safe, reliable and timely service to rural and remote communities.”

STARS currently covers 90% of Alberta’s rural and remote population from its bases in Calgary, Edmonton, and Grande Prairie.

AHS also works with other helicopter air ambulance providers, including Helicopter Emergency Rescue Operation (HERO) and Helicopter Air Lift Operation (HALO). The province says details will soon be released regarding agreements with these two EMS providers as well.