The Ontario government has announced C$93m ($64.95m) investment to expand Ornge Air Ambulance's capabilities, with two high-speed aircraft addition and the construction of a new hangar in Simcoe County.

This initiative aims to improve pre-hospital care and better connect northern and rural communities to essential medical services.

Health Minister and Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones said: "Through another record investment in Ornge, our government is continuing to make it faster for Ontarians to connect to the care they need, when they need it, for years to come."

The two new Special Mission Aircraft will enable Ornge to perform double the number of long-distance transports per day compared to its smaller planes.

These aircraft can travel longer distances without refuelling and are equipped to transport patients with specialised care needs, such as those requiring neonatal, paediatric, and bariatric support.

Ornge will house the new aircraft in a purpose-built hangar at Lake Simcoe Regional Airport.

This facility is designed to enhance emergency care coordination across Ontario.

Ornge president and CEO Dr Homer Tien said: "This larger, faster aircraft will be versatile to support ultra-long distance transport of critically ill/injured patients and multi-patient, cargo and passenger configurations to best serve the mission at hand, anywhere in Ontario."

The hangar and aircraft are in addition to an investment of C$118m that was announced last year to increase Ornge's fixed-wing fleet to 12, including eight existing aircraft replacement and a larger hangar purchase in Sudbury.

Furthermore, the Ontario government is providing an additional $25m to Ornge for hiring more frontline staff, aiming to enhance pre-hospital care and services for indigenous communities.

Ornge plans to recruit 102 additional frontline staff including paramedics, pilots, and aviation mechanics by 2029.

The investment also supports the expansion of its dedicated mental health patient transport team and improves the Emergency First Response Teams Program, which benefits First Nation communities with stretcher transport vehicles, specialised first aid training, and extra supplies.

"Ontario government announces $64m to enhance air medical services" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand.