Published on
September 30, 2025
Systematic refusal?
LUXEMBOURG – Is it possible that an emergency doctor (SAMU) systematically refuses the deployment of the Luxembourg Air Rescue helicopter?
This question was raised by DP member of parliament Carlo Wagner in a parliamentary question addressed to Health Minister Mars Di Bartolomeo.
According to the request, a doctor performing SAMU emergency duty at the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg and at the Zitha Clinic allegedly refuses the use of the LAR helicopter on a systematic basis.
This reportedly happened recently during an intervention where the hospital on duty was located more than 30 kilometres away.
The situation is said to have lasted for 15 months already.
Luxembourg Air Rescue confirms that such a situation exists.
According to Marc Rob, some doctors fly less frequently, sometimes because of a fear of flying.
In such cases, it might make more sense for them to perform their emergency duty at night when helicopters are no longer in operation.
However, LAR cannot confirm whether this is the case in the specific situation.
What is certain, however, is that not a single helicopter mission has taken place during the past 15 months.
“People may have different opinions about the use of helicopters.
We have tried for a long time to intervene and to hold discussions, but this has led to nothing,” says Marc Rob.
He stresses, however, that this has nothing to do with the hospital itself.
The doctor decides
In fact, the doctor decides whether a helicopter is deployed.
Based on a questionnaire used by first responders, the dispatch centre determines whether specialised medical expertise is required.
If so, the doctor decides which means of transport should be used.
“The critical distance is around 15 kilometres,” explains Marc Rob.
“Beyond that distance, the helicopter is faster.”
However, flights are also carried out for shorter distances.
The helicopter is always stationed at the hospital on duty in the capital, just like the emergency doctor.
“The first priority is to bring medical expertise to the patient as quickly as possible,” concludes Marc Rob.
Systematic refusal?
LUXEMBOURG – Is it possible that an emergency doctor (SAMU) systematically refuses the deployment of the Luxembourg Air Rescue helicopter?
This question was raised by DP member of parliament Carlo Wagner in a parliamentary question addressed to Health Minister Mars Di Bartolomeo.
According to the request, a doctor performing SAMU emergency duty at the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg and at the Zitha Clinic allegedly refuses the use of the LAR helicopter on a systematic basis.
This reportedly happened recently during an intervention where the hospital on duty was located more than 30 kilometres away.
The situation is said to have lasted for 15 months already.
Luxembourg Air Rescue confirms that such a situation exists.
According to Marc Rob, some doctors fly less frequently, sometimes because of a fear of flying.
In such cases, it might make more sense for them to perform their emergency duty at night when helicopters are no longer in operation.
However, LAR cannot confirm whether this is the case in the specific situation.
What is certain, however, is that not a single helicopter mission has taken place during the past 15 months.
“People may have different opinions about the use of helicopters.
We have tried for a long time to intervene and to hold discussions, but this has led to nothing,” says Marc Rob.
He stresses, however, that this has nothing to do with the hospital itself.
The doctor decides
In fact, the doctor decides whether a helicopter is deployed.
Based on a questionnaire used by first responders, the dispatch centre determines whether specialised medical expertise is required.
If so, the doctor decides which means of transport should be used.
“The critical distance is around 15 kilometres,” explains Marc Rob.
“Beyond that distance, the helicopter is faster.”
However, flights are also carried out for shorter distances.
The helicopter is always stationed at the hospital on duty in the capital, just like the emergency doctor.
“The first priority is to bring medical expertise to the patient as quickly as possible,” concludes Marc Rob.
Systematic refusal?
LUXEMBOURG – Is it possible that an emergency doctor (SAMU) systematically refuses the deployment of the Luxembourg Air Rescue helicopter?
This question was raised by DP member of parliament Carlo Wagner in a parliamentary question addressed to Health Minister Mars Di Bartolomeo.
According to the request, a doctor performing SAMU emergency duty at the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg and at the Zitha Clinic allegedly refuses the use of the LAR helicopter on a systematic basis.
This reportedly happened recently during an intervention where the hospital on duty was located more than 30 kilometres away.
The situation is said to have lasted for 15 months already.
Luxembourg Air Rescue confirms that such a situation exists.
According to Marc Rob, some doctors fly less frequently, sometimes because of a fear of flying.
In such cases, it might make more sense for them to perform their emergency duty at night when helicopters are no longer in operation.
However, LAR cannot confirm whether this is the case in the specific situation.
What is certain, however, is that not a single helicopter mission has taken place during the past 15 months.
“People may have different opinions about the use of helicopters.
We have tried for a long time to intervene and to hold discussions, but this has led to nothing,” says Marc Rob.
He stresses, however, that this has nothing to do with the hospital itself.
The doctor decides
In fact, the doctor decides whether a helicopter is deployed.
Based on a questionnaire used by first responders, the dispatch centre determines whether specialised medical expertise is required.
If so, the doctor decides which means of transport should be used.
“The critical distance is around 15 kilometres,” explains Marc Rob.
“Beyond that distance, the helicopter is faster.”
However, flights are also carried out for shorter distances.
The helicopter is always stationed at the hospital on duty in the capital, just like the emergency doctor.
“The first priority is to bring medical expertise to the patient as quickly as possible,” concludes Marc Rob.
