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A photo of a seaplane in Victoria Harbor
What is BC EHS?
  • British Columbia Emergency Health Services (BC EHS) provides medical care outside of hospitals and helps move patients between hospitals across BC.
  • Their team is made up of paramedics in both ground and air ambulances (planes or helicopters), and staff who help to arrange patient transfers between hospitals.
  • Depending on the care needs and location of the patient, the most appropriate resource will provide the transfer.

    Patient Transfer Services

  • The BC EHS Program provides Primary Care, Advanced Care and Critical Care Paramedics to transport patients and families across the province.
  • The BC EHS Infant Transport Team (ITT) is a paramedic team that specializes in the transfer of babies, children, and caregivers with high-risk pregnancies get to special care units in hospitals in British Columbia when there’s an emergency.
Transfer Process
  • When a child becomes very ill, they are usually taken via car or ambulance to the nearest district general hospital, which may or may not have a PICU.
  • If your child is critically unwell, the team at the hospital your child is in may call the VGH PICU for advice and support.
  • Depending on the needs of your child, they may continue to receive care at VGH or they may eventually be brought to the BC Children’s Hospital
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An image of two helicopters flying together over Victoria harbor
When the EHS Team Arrives
  • The transfer team is made up of primarily paramedics, but may also include doctors, nurses or respiratory therapists at times.
  • When the team arrives, they will introduce themselves to the local team and to your family.
  • The transfer team will then get full clinical handover about what has happened to your child so far.
  • They will then assess your child and begin to change over the equipment and monitoring to the transport equipment.
  • If your child needs help breathing, the decision may be made to insert a tube (an endotracheal or ET tube) through their mouth or nose into the ‘windpipe’ and attach it to a breathing machine (ventilator).
  • The transfer team may then take some time to optimize the intensive care support your child requires.
  • As time allows, the transfer team and/or the local medical team will keep your family updated on the status of your child.
Transfer to VGH
  • The transfer team may speak with persons from the VGH PICU prior to leaving. The receiving team at VGH will get an update on your child’s health and an estimated time of arrival so they are ready for the transfer team to arrive.
  • The team will ensure your child and their equipment are safely secured.
  • Transfer to VGH PICU may involve an ambulance, an airplane, a helicopter and/or a ferry, depending on where your child is located and time concerns.
Accompanying your Child in Transport

BC EHS recognizes the vital role a family member plays in the holistic well-being of the patient.
Every effort will be made to allow at least one parent/caregiver to travel with their child. However, this may not always be possible given limited space and weight capacity in an ambulance, helicopter and/or airplane.
The priority is always the safety of your child.

  • The decision for a family member to travel with the patient may not be made until paramedics have arrived for pickup.
  • Caregivers that travel with their child must remain seated and wearing a seatbelt at all times during the journey. You may not undo your seatbelt during the journey unless you are instructed to do so by the team. There may not be room for baggage, or only enough room for a small bag.
  • Explanations of treatment for your child will only be given during the journey if the team is free to do so.
  • If you don’t accompany your child and decide to follow in your own vehicle, please do not tailgate the ambulance.
Talking to your Child about Transfer
  • Some kids will be awake when they are transferred and some will not.
  • If your child is awake, it can be hard to talk about going to a new hospital. Sometimes, a doctor, nurse, or social worker can help you explain it to them.
  • Here are some helpful tips:
    • Be Honest: Use simple words to explain what will happen. Tell them they are moving to a different hospital and that may involve a plane, ferry or ambulance.
    • Use Clear Language.
    • One Person at a Time: It’s better if one person talks to the child at a time. This way, they can listen and understand better.
Arrival into PICU
  • The EHS team will bring your child to the PICU and share important medical information with the PICU team, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals caring for your child. They will also move your child and any equipment needed to keep them safe. This process can take up to an hour.

Following transfer we may need to stabilize your child further. Caregivers are sometimes asked to wait in the waiting room while this occurs. 

Once your child has been settled, a PICU staff will bring you to see your child. 

We want you to be with your child as much as you would like, and will only ask you to leave the room if there’s a safety concern for your child.