STARS completed its first ever helicopter neonatal transport in Saskatchewan in December, thanks to new equipment. STARS Flight Paramedic, Ryan MacMillan, says the child was born out of the hospital so there were a lot of logistical challenges to overcome, with a lot of moving parts behind the scenes. The baby arrived safely and quickly to the Regina General Hospital NICU Department.

The ability to transport neonatal patients has been in the works since 2021. During the recent fleet upgrade, a new interface was designed to ensure the isolette, including the infant and the medical team would be safe and secure for transport. Then the design had to be approved by Transport Canada, and while that was happening, STARS says, they worked closely with NICU teams so they could gain time and experience in the helicopter.