Life Flight Network, a US air medical transport service, and Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS), a healthcare organisation, have agreed that Life Flight Network's new Hermiston, Oregon base, which recently went into service, will be located on the hospital's campus. In the meantime, Life Flight Network is temporarily operating out of the Hermiston Municipal airport until construction of its new facilities at the hospital is completed.

This collaboration between Life Flight Network and Good Shepherd Health Care System will significantly reduce response times and provide expedited access to advanced medical interventions, critical care specialists and life-saving equipment. By leveraging the expertise and resources of both organisations, this partnership will result in improved patient outcomes, increased survival rates and enhanced overall healthcare delivery within the communities they serve.

“We are proud to be partnering with Good Shepherd Health Care System,” says Ben Clayton, chief executive officer at Life Flight Network. “This alliance brings together two esteemed healthcare entities with a shared vision of improving access to critical care and ensuring the highest quality of healthcare services for patients. By combining our industry-leading air medical services with Good Shepherd Health Care System's exceptional medical expertise, we will reduce response times to patients in Hermiston and the surrounding communities, improving outcomes and ultimately, saving lives.”

Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS), recognised for its commitment to excellence and comprehensive healthcare services, is fully accredited by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and boasts state-of-the-art equipment not typically found in 25-bed hospitals. Its hospital and outpatient clinics cater to diverse medical needs in eastern Oregon, offering over 40 service lines to improve the health of its community. By joining forces with Life Flight Network, Good Shepherd Health Care System is taking a significant leap forward in enhancing its emergency response capabilities and expanding its reach to traditionally underserved areas. This partnership will enable seamless coordination and transfer of patients in need of air medical transport from the scene.

Life Flight Network has been at the forefront of delivering rapid, safe and reliable critical care transportation for over 45 years. With bases strategically located throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana, Life Flight Network has established itself as the go-to provider for time-sensitive emergency medical transportation, facilitating the quick and efficient transfer of patients from the scene of an emergency or from one hospital to another.

“Our community partners are vital in the care we provide to eastern Oregon. Life Flight Network's transport base on our campus helps us ensure our patients are provided the best air transportation services possible during those critical moments when every minute matters,” states GSHCS interim president and CEO Emmett Schuster. “This is part of delivering quality, life-saving care to our patients.”