Inside a private air ambulance
If a loved one falls seriously ill or has an accident abroad, a private air ambulance can be the best way to get home safely and quickly. But organising a private medical flight is a small logistical miracle, from medical paperwork and flight plans to assembling the right medical team and flight crew. Medical repatriation companies like EMS Air Ambulance & Medical Repatriation take care of all the details for you.
Our Private Air Ambulance Service
All the private air ambulances we use are specially modified and medically equipped aircraft or helicopters. They are the fastest travel option over medium and long distances. Air ambulances provide more space and flexibility than a commercial flight, and allow patients to fly who otherwise might be unable to – for example, if they are on a ventilator or other forms of life support.
What does the service include?
Our air ambulance service includes:
- Medical assessment and diagnosis
- An on-board ICU tailored to your needs, with all modern life-saving technology
- A highly-trained medical team
- All necessary medicine
- Road ambulance transfers at either end
- Coordinating your care with hospitals, including talking to doctors and arranging admission
- Maintaining communication with relatives
- Excellent support
- Food and drink
Depending on the size of the medical team and the condition of the patient, it’s sometimes possible for a family member to accompany the patient. Luggage allowance is restricted to hand luggage only to give more space for the doctors to access the patient and provide treatment and care.
How does it work?
When you get in touch with us, we will discuss your situation with you and attempt to answer your questions and address your concerns. Our team of medical coordinators, will then advise about the best options for repatriation and will come back to you with a quotation within hours, if necessary
Once you give us the go-ahead, our office team will get to work. They will select and put together the right medical team with the right specialisms for your situation. They’ll arrange the right kind of aircraft with the right number of pilots and crew. They take care of all the details, from start to finish, including medical records (translation in necessary), the relevant customs clearances, flight plan, fuel stops etc.. They also handle all communications with the hospital doctors on both sides. An ICU-equipped ambulance and qualified ground grew will be waiting to transport the patient from runway to their destination hospital, where a bed will be ready. The team will only leave the patient once they are confident that a successful handover has taken place. Throughout the whole process a dedicated contact person will keep the family informed of the team’s progress and the patient’s condition and will be available to talk through any questions or concerns.
How much does a private air ambulance cost?
Repatriation by private air ambulance is more expensive than an ICU-equipped road ambulance or using a medical escort on a commercial flight. The costs are determined by a variety of factors including: distance, additional fuel stops, aircraft size, and crew. An accurate quotation can only really be provided after the condition of the patient and the start/end locations are established. That’s why it’s best to request a free quote, so you know exactly what to expect.
If an air ambulance is too expensive, in some cases a medical escort on a commercial flight may be an option. Do get in touch, even if you’re not sure. Experience has taught us that there is almost always a way home.
Contact
You can contact us 24/7 either by email at [email protected], by phone on +1 332 334 6833 or by using the live chat on our website. If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We are here to help.