Life Flight Network and Life Link III have signed a letter of intent to launch a strategic alliance that will bring the organisations together to collaborate on best practices, process improvement, quality initiatives and safety, all with a focus on the patients and communities they serve.

The alliance formalises a long-standing collaborative relationship between the two organisations. Life Flight Network and Life Link III are similarly structured air medical consortiums, with each programme using similar onboard medical equipment and operating many of the same aircraft models. Together they have shared their resources and expertise over the years. Executive leadership from both organisations will now meet routinely, establishing benchmarks and metrics that promote shared learning and raise the bar on industry standards.

"With shared interests, challenges and values, we believe working together will give both organisations a greater voice in the air medical industry, as well as strengthen not-for-profit air medical programmes at large," says Life Flight Network interim CEO Ben Clayton. "While both programmes remain independent, our employees, patients, customers and the communities we serve will benefit from the collective expertise and resources of our programmes."

Under their respective healthcare consortium ownership, this alliance is the foundation for a unique 'consortium of consortiums' concept that will bring together a number of leading health systems to collaborate and ensure access to critical care transport and life-saving resources is preserved.

"Life Link III and Life Flight Network are respected, industry-leading programmes that share an unwavering commitment to strong cultures of safety and exceedingly high excellence in patient care," adds Life Link III CEO Josh Howell. "As both organisations share proven track records of innovation, growth and enhanced safety training, I'm thrilled about the launch of this not-for-profit air medical alliance that will strengthen both programmes and deepen our commitment to serving our employees, our patients and our communities even better in the future."

Headquartered in Aurora, Oregon, Life Flight Network operates 25 bases across Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Montana. Life Link III operates 10 bases across Minnesota and Wisconsin and is headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota.