The province is investing $93 million to expand Ornge Air Ambulance's fleet by adding two larger, high-speed fixed wing aircraft, constructing a new hangar at the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport (LSRA) in Oro-Medonte, and improving pre-hospital care.
The new aircraft can travel longer distances without refueling, enabling Ornge to complete four long-distance transports per day, double the amount of Ornge's smaller planes. These aircraft can also transport patients with specialized care needs such as neonatal, paediatric, and bariatric patients.
"The new larger and faster aircraft will ensure Ornge Air Ambulance service can connect more patients to urgent care, especially those living in rural and remote communities," Health Minister Sylvia Jones noted during a news conference Tuesday at the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport.
The new aircraft will be housed in a newly constructed hangar at the airport.
In addition to expanding Ornge's fleet of aircraft, Jones said this investment will allow Ornge Air Ambulance to hire 102 new frontline staff to ensure aircraft are available "whenever that call comes in." As well, she said it will help improve pre-hospital care for patients in need of emergency mental health care and better serve Indigenous communities with culturally appropriate care.
Last year, the province announced a $118 million investment to expand Ornge's fixed-wing fleet to 12 aircraft, including the replacement of the existing eight fixed-wing fleet, and the purchase of a larger hangar in Sudbury to house the new aircraft.
