Provincial funding for STARS Air Ambulance will double to over $15 million per year, an increase of over $8 million.
President and CEO of STARS, Andrea Robertson, said STARS still relies on private donors but this funding means STARS will be available far into the future.
“This increased funding will help us deliver critical care to more patients across Alberta for years to come,” she said.
Premier Jason Kenney made the announcement during a press conference at the STARS hangar in Calgary on March 25. He was joined by Highwood MLA and co-chair of the Provincial EMS Advisory Committee R.J. Sigurdson and Jason Copping, minister of health.
“More than 1,000 Albertans are helped by STARS every year,” said Kenney.
The provincial government will now cover nearly half of STARS operating costs, up from 23 per cent previously.
Copping said STARS covers 90 per cent of Alberta’s population.
“More than doubling our supports for STARS ensures effective and sustainable helicopter air ambulance services for Albertans in critical situations,” Copping said.
Almost 48 per cent of STARS funding last year came from donations and fundraising activities including the STARS lottery.
A subcommittee of Alberta’s EMS Provincial Advisory committee is looking at ways to strengthen air ambulance services, and air ambulances will be included in an independent review of EMS dispatch system. The review is expected to be completed this fall.
STARS responds to approximately 92 per cent of helicopter air ambulance missions in the province.
AHS is currently in talks with HERO and HALO, two other air ambulance providers in the province, regarding increased funding. Details of those agreements are expected in the coming days.
STARS Air Ambulance was founded in 1985 and operates out of Calgary, Edmonton and Grande Prairie.
