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SKY team will enhance air ambulance services for Yukon youngsters

Friday, 25 June 2021 15:51

By Dylan MacNeil

EMS Deputy Chief of Clinical Operations Ryan Soucy shows off new equipment to media.

The team can be wheels up in 45 minutes.

The Yukon’s new SKY flight team is ready for take off. SKY stands for Sick Kids Yukon and it expands the territory’s air ambulance service to include obstetrical, neonatal and pediatric critical care transport.

The team of 13 new critical care paramedics will provide specialized care to Yukon youngsters and will mean shorter response times and enhanced service in rural communities. They have some high-tech equipment too. It was bought by insured health. There is an incubator to transport infants, a fetal heart rate monitor and more. It all fits on a stretcher in one ready to go unit. EMS Deputy Chief of Clinical Operations Ryan Soucy says the set up is unique to the Yukon, he doesn’t know of another one in a Canada.

Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee spoke to media this afternoon to announce the program.

“My family required some medical services upon the birth of our child some 21 years ago that required medevac’ing to B.C children’s hospital and the services that were provided at that time were second to none. It wasn’t quite this complicated but it certainly was something that remains a large part of our family’s history and our gratitude is truly undying,” said McPhee.

Yukon EMS used to depend on providers in southern air ambulance teams to transport children, infants and women with high-risk pregnancies. That often meant long wait times of 8 to 36 hours. The new SKY team can be wheels up and in the air with in 45 minutes.

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