Medevac (Aeromedical Evacuation)
Medevac, or aeromedical evacuation, is the urgent transfer of an ill or injured person from a location where the care they need isn’t available, to a hospital that can treat them. First Response Aviation Group coordinates medevac flights around the clock, with the speed and planning these situations demand.
When medevac is needed
- Serious illness or injury in a location without suitable medical facilities
- Remote or hard-to-reach locations, such as islands, rural areas or expedition sites
- Employees working overseas who need urgent specialist care
- Situations where the patient’s condition requires rapid transfer to a specialist centre
How we plan an evacuation
Speed matters, but so does planning. We work with the treating clinicians and the medical team to assess the patient, choose the right aircraft and medical crew, arrange the necessary flight permits and ground transport, and confirm the receiving hospital before departure.
- Rapid assessment of the patient’s condition and fitness to travel
- The right aircraft and medical team for the patient’s needs
- Flight permits, ground handling and landing arrangements
- Ground ambulances at both ends
- Regular updates to family, employers and insurers
Who we work with
We support families, employers with staff overseas, insurers and assistance companies, and organisations working in remote locations. Where a patient is stable enough, an air ambulance or commercial medical escort may also be suitable.
Medevac or medical repatriation?
The two are closely related. Medical repatriation usually means bringing a patient home, or closer to home, once they’re stable enough to travel. Medevac is about urgency: moving a patient quickly from a location where they can’t get the care they need, to a hospital that can treat them, which may be in a different country altogether.
In practice, a medevac is often followed by a repatriation later, once the patient has been stabilised at a suitable hospital.
Common medevac situations
- Serious illness or injury on an expedition, in a rural area or on a small island
- Accidents at remote work sites, such as construction or energy projects
- Patients in regions where local hospitals can’t provide the specialist care needed
- Patients who need to reach a specialist centre quickly, for example for cardiac, neurological or burns treatment
- Travellers who fall seriously ill in countries with limited healthcare
Planning a safe evacuation
Every medevac involves balancing speed with safety. Before the flight, we work with the medical team and the operator to confirm:
- That the patient is stable enough to fly, or what treatment is needed first
- The nearest suitable airport, and whether it can take the aircraft
- Landing and overflight permits, which can take time in some countries
- Ground ambulances at both ends, and access to the patient
- Weather, daylight and any security considerations for the area
- A confirmed bed at the receiving hospital
Supporting employers and organisations
Organisations with staff working overseas have a duty of care to them. We can work with employers, project managers and their insurers to plan for emergencies, and to respond quickly when one happens, with one point of contact who keeps everyone informed.
Information we need in an emergency
- The patient’s exact location, and the nearest airport if known
- A summary of their condition and any treatment so far
- A contact at the scene or treating facility
- Passport or nationality details
- Insurance or company details, if applicable
If you’re dealing with an emergency, call our 24-hour concierge line straight away. We can start planning while the medical details are being gathered.
Communication during an evacuation
In an emergency, clear communication matters as much as speed. We agree a single point of contact with the family, employer or insurer, and keep them updated as the plan comes together: when the aircraft is confirmed, when it departs, when the patient is on board and when they arrive at the receiving hospital.
After the evacuation
Once the patient has been treated and stabilised at a suitable hospital, they may need a further transfer closer to home for recovery. We can plan this onward bed-to-bed transfer in advance, so the family knows what to expect next, and arrange it when the medical team agrees the patient is ready.
Our approach
Every evacuation is different, and plans can change quickly as the patient’s condition, the weather or local conditions change. We stay flexible, keep contingency options open, and make decisions with the medical team, putting the patient’s safety first.
Our partners
Flights are operated by appropriately licensed air ambulance, and ground transfers by licensed ambulance providers. First Response Aviation Group coordinates the whole transfer, so you have one point of contact throughout. The operator’s details are confirmed at the time of booking.
Common questions about medevac
How quickly can a medevac be arranged?
Urgent evacuations are planned as quickly as safely possible. The timescale depends on the location, flight permits, aircraft availability and the patient’s condition, and we’ll give you a realistic estimate straight away.
Do you cover evacuations worldwide?
Yes. We coordinate transfers in the UK, across Europe and worldwide, subject to permits, safety and aircraft availability.
What if the patient is too unstable to fly?
The medical team will advise on what treatment is needed to stabilise the patient first. In some cases, a short transfer to a nearby hospital is safer before a longer flight.
Will insurance cover a medevac?
Many travel and corporate insurance policies cover emergency medical evacuation, but cover varies. We can work directly with the insurer or assistance company, or provide a quotation for a self-funded evacuation.
Can you evacuate from small or remote airfields?
Often, yes. Turboprop aircraft can use shorter runways than jets. We’ll find the nearest suitable airfield and arrange ground transport to it.
Can a family member travel on a medevac flight?
Sometimes. It depends on the space on board, the patient’s condition and the medical team’s agreement. We’ll let you know when we plan the evacuation.
Do you arrange ground transport abroad?
Yes. We arrange ground ambulances at both ends of the journey, including collection from the treating hospital or the scene, where it’s safe to do so.
All medical information is treated in strict confidence and handled in line with our privacy policy.
To arrange a transfer or request a quotation, call our 24-hour concierge line on 01268 204 607 or send us a message.
Request a quote
Request a medical transport quote
Tell us about the patient and the journey, and we’ll come back to you with the right options and a clear quotation. For anything urgent, call our 24-hour concierge line on 01268 204 607.