Med-Trans Corporation, part of the Global Medical Response family of companies, recently delivered a Bell 407 air ambulance to Chippenham Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. The aircraft will be based at the hospital's Level 1 trauma centre and marks the launch of the HCA Virginia Healthcare air ambulance programme. Med-Trans will provide the pilots and aviation maintenance technicians, and Chippenham Hospital will provide the medical crews.

The HCA Virginia Air Care Eagle, as the Bell 407 will be known, will join air ambulance services provided by the Virginia State Police and VCU Hospitals, expediting access to south Richmond's only Level 1 trauma centre.

“In tandem with our recent designation as a Level 1 trauma centre and our commitment to providing best in class care for our community, the HCA Virginia medical helicopter service ensures patients throughout Virginia will receive the fastest, most professional, patient-focused transportation for urgent lifesaving treatment,” says Chippenham Hospital CEO William Lunn. “Our medically-trained HCA Virginia Air Care Eagle team can be in the air within 10 minutes of being called by local EMS providers and other hospitals. We are excited to add this additional level of care to the Commonwealth.”

“Med-Trans is proud to partner with HCA Virginia Healthcare to provide area residents with safe and rapid transport to a higher level of emergency care,” adds Kimberly Montgomery, Med-Trans CEO. “This new base will greatly enhance emergency response times throughout the region. We value our partnership with HCA Virginia Healthcare, and we are looking forward to a wonderful relationship of working together and making a difference for those we care for.”