Press Release

Issued by Avincis Portugal.

March 3, 2014

INAER Portugal has been flying missions for the Portuguese National Health Service (INEM) since 2000, transporting seriously ill patients by helicopter, either to hospital or between hospitals.
In 2013, INAER Portugal carried out 760 medical emergencies missions (HEMS), in which 669 patients with varying pathologies were helped. The company flew 1,239 hours carrying out these vital missions.
The evaluation and decision of which resources to use in each case is made by the Medical Emergencies Regulation Centres (CODU) which manages all medical calls going through the European Emergency Number 112.
Last year, INAER Portugal was awarded a contract from the INEM on the basis of its extensive experience and technical capacity, which includes four 24 hour HEMS bases; in Salemas, Beja or Loulé, Macedo de Cavaleiros, and Santa Comba Dão. These bases enhance Portugal's existing medical resources.

The fleet of three AgustaWestland 109 helicopters are equipped with the latest technology and operate all year round. Additionally it is reinforced with another AW109 between June and September to provide extra coverage during the busiest months of the year. Thus, with more than 32,800 flight hours since 1996 and its extensive experience in night flight, INAER is a sure asset in the market of medical emergency in the country.
Last year a total of 1,071,736 INEM mobile resources were activated in Portugal to assist the approximately 860,000 emergency situations requested through the 112.

Most of the emergencies (over 900,000 cases) were assisted by ambulance, but other INEM mobile resources such as resuscitation and emergency medical vehicles and motorcycles were used in the major urban centres.