Decline in number of rescue helicopters in prospect unless financing can be arranged

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Over the next few years, fewer rapid-response rescue helicopters could be in use in Finland, if the government does not find additional funding for all of them.
      The current number of rescue helicopters is five, after the operation of the Vaasa-based Pete Medi-Heli rescue helicoopter came to an end early this year.
     
At present, the services of rescue helicopters are being transferred from the organisations currently running the operations to a national company, in which the principal co-owners would be the University Central Hospital District areas.
      The authorities who are setting up the helicopter service company outline that Finland should have six helicopters. However, according to experts, the funds reserved for the purpose will not be sufficient.
      The government is offering a total of EUR 11.8 million, intended to cover the operation of the helicopters themselves. All medical costs should be covered by the hospital districts just as before.
      ”That sum would be sufficient for four helicopters”, says Petri Häli, the executive manager of the organisation that is running the Oulu-based Sepe helicopter.
      ”In addition, approximately another five million euros would be needed”, Häli notes.
     
The organisations have collected these funds from individual people and companies. The collected money has been used for example for the maintenance of the helicopter bases.
      Director and Chief Physician Jorma Penttinen of the Hospital District of North-Savo admits that the funds will not necessarily be sufficient to cover the costs of six helicopters.
      ”But we do not know this for sure until we have arranged competitive bidding”, Penttinen argues.
      The new company plans to save by arranging competitive tendering in helicopter services and by cutting down on administration.
      ”The aim is to have six helicopters available”, Penttinen says.
     
The helicopter organisations are now wondering whether they would be obliged to collect money for a company set up by authorities.
      Medi-Heli, a registered association that runs services by Vantaa-based and Turku-based helicopters, is not willing to begin such fund-raising activities.
      ”Nevertheless, we would like the operation to be national. We have launched these operations and it is time to transfer them to others”, says Executive Manager Risto Manninen.
      ”We just fear that the concept that has been developed over the course of many years could be ruined”, Manninen adds.
     
In practice, all parties would like to stop financing the operation of rescue helicopters by passing the hat around. However, it might not be possible if the government does not grant additional financing for the operation.
      The granting of further financing would be decided in Parliament, but the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health should first bring such a proposal before MPs.
      Even the ministry would like to see the end of ad hoc helicopter fund-raising, says Senior Medical Officer Tom Silfvast from the Department for Social and Health Services.
      When it comes to an additional appropriation, Silfvast does not dare to say anything.
      ”We will first see what kind of a price tag we will have after the bidding contest. Then we will be able to consider how the potential difference should be covered”, he adds.
     
Finland’s first rescue helicopter was Medi-Heli in the capital region. It started its operation in the autumn of 1992. In the course of the 1990s a number of associations running helicopter services emerged in various parts of Finland.
      Finland’s Slot Machine Association (RAY) has been a long-standing financier of rescue helicopters.
      In addition, the helicopter associations have collected further funds for the running of helicopter bases and for the maintenance of cars at the bases. Even private persons have supported rescue helicopters with millions of euros.
      The rescue helicopters run by various companies have faced many crises (see article from 2005), which is why attempts are being made to stabilise the operation of the medical first-responders by setting up a national helicopter company.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Vantaa´s Medi-Heli moves into spacious new premises (22.9.2009)

See also:
  Funding dispute threatens to ground rapid response emergency helicopters (26.5.2005)

Links:
  Medi-Heli (in Finnish and Swedish only)

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