The Manitoba government has signed a ten year contract with the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society or STARS helicopter ambulance.
   
Health Minister Theresa Oswald says STARS has responded to 150 emergencies since arriving in Manitoba last April and has helped to save at least 50 lives. Some of those cases involved patients here in southeastern Manitoba.

The helicopter always travels with two pilots, a critical care nurse and a critical care paramedic. An emergency physician also hops on board whenever medically necessary.

The service costs the province about $10 million dollars per year.

"These paramedics, nurses and pilots are a critical link in patient care and their training and expertise will truly help to save lives.  We're continuing to strengthen our emergency response services through our partnership with STARS and we are extremely pleased that we now have Manitobans, some of whom are returning home, as part of this permanent, specialized team," said Oswald.

"It is a privilege to partner with our colleagues in health to provide increased access to service for the critically ill and injured in Manitoba," said Andrea Robertson, STARS president and chief operating officer.  "STARS will assist in the provision of highly specialized services, utilizing a critical-care team including nurses, paramedics, physicians and our aviation team of pilots and engineers."