Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) announced that its air ambulance service, LifeFlight, has been reaccredited by the European Aeromedical Institute (EURAMI) for both adult and paediatric critical care.

LifeFlightThe LifeFlight service provides emergency response medical care to patients in Qatar when speed is of the highest priority, or when incidents occur in remote areas of the country. First launched in 2007, the LifeFlight service has become an invaluable part of the Ambulance Service’s overall response. It currently responds to more than 2,000 emergencies a year.

Brendon Morris, Executive Director of HMC Ambulance Service, described the significance of the reaccreditation, which, according to him,  is the result of a successful partnership with the Qatar Emiri Air Force.

To be reaccredited by EURAMI, after initially receiving accreditation in 2015, is a wonderful independent endorsement of the quality of service we deliver.’

He said that the operation of the LifeFlight service relies on their strong partnership with the Qatar Emiri Air Force, whose skilled pilots work hand-in-hand with medical teams to ensure that the life-saving service runs 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.

EURAMI is considered a world leader in aeromedical accreditation and only recognises air ambulance services with the very highest medical protocols and aviation records.

24-Hour Air Ambulance Service 

HMC LifeFlight service has undergone enormous growth since first launching more than ten years ago. According to Ali Darwish, Assistant Executive Director of the Ambulance Service, during the early years of operation, LifeFlight service was operational only during daylight hours. In 2011, the hours of operation was expanded to 24 hours.

In September 2013 we introduced three new helicopters to our LifeFlight fleet. Each of these 139 Agusta Westland helicopters is flown by highly trained pilots from the Qatar Emiri Air Force. They can carry two patients, two medical crew, and two pilots, and are equipped with the latest advanced life support medical equipment.’

EURAMI accreditation is just one of a number of prestigious accreditations held by the Ambulance Service. The service has been successfully accredited three times by the Joint Commission International for quality and safety and also by the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch for the high standard of operations at its Medical Communication Centre.

Visit hamad.qa for updates and more information about the HMC LifeFlight service.