STARS relocates to Brandon airport

STARS air ambulance has temporarily moved its operations from Winnipeg to Brandon to better serve communities in Westman hit by recent flooding that shuttered Dauphin’s hospital.

Spokesperson Blake Robert said the STAR-7 helicopter will continue flying critical care missions across Manitoba while based out of Brandon Municipal Airport.

“STAR-7 has been temporarily repositioned by Shared Health in order to enhance response times in Westman, which have reduced accessibility due to recent flooding,” Robert told the Sun.

Prairie Mountain Health said in a notice Monday the move to the Brandon airport is expected to reduce transport and response times for patients requiring rapid escalation to higher levels of care.

The Dauphin Region Health Centre was forced to evacuate its patients and close its doors on July 1 after the region experienced severe flooding.

The hospital’s basement flooded and power was knocked out, which caused significant damage to the facility’s HVAC system. The hospital’s kitchen, laundry, pharmacy and equipment sterilization are located in the basement.

Fifty-four patients were sent to nearby health centres, including 24 patients who were transferred to the Brandon hospital.

Experts are assessing the damage this week to determine what is necessary to restore services, the notice said.

As part of the response, Brandon has become a key support centre for Dauphin patients.

All diagnostic appointments affected by the Dauphin hospital closure have been redirected to alternative locations, including Brandon and Portage la Prairie, depending on the service required, such as CT scans, MRI scans or ultrasounds.

Maternity and delivery services are also being provided through the Brandon and Neepawa health centres, with physicians contacting patients directly to discuss ongoing prenatal and delivery care options.

STARS provides critical care and patient transfers across Manitoba. In the 2025-26 fiscal year, it flew 1,181 missions in the province, its website states.

Manitoba has one primary STARS helicopter and crew, and a backup aircraft for major incidents.

The air ambulance will remain available to respond to other incidents when needed, a Shared Health spokesperson said. Shared Health is the lead agency co-ordinating the health system’s flood response.

Premier Wab Kinew previously said he was told the Dauphin health facility may not reopen for nine to 12 months, a situation he called “unacceptable.” He said the province planned to throw a ton of resources into bringing the hospital back online as soon as possible.

Prairie Mountain’s public notice did not provide a timeline on the hospital’s reopening. It noted blood, X-ray and ECG services would be moved to a temporary setting while repairs are underway. The notice did not provide a date for when a temporary facility would open.

All cancer care services previously provided at a clinic in the Dauphin hospital have moved to new locations, some within Dauphin and some in other communities.

Hospitals in Ste. Rose du Lac and Grandview have also extended their hours to accommodate patients who would normally seek treatment in Dauphin. Ste. Rose du Lac’s health centre has shifted to 24-7 operations.

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