Medical repatriation from Greece: acomprehensive response by NGS in partnership with Athens Assistance
The two companies detail how they collaborated to medically evacuate and repatriate a Canadian yachter who was injured in Greece
A crewmember aboard a luxury yacht in Greece, suffered lifethreatening injuries in a severe tender-related accident. The tender, a small watercraft used for transporting crew and supplies, lost control and crushed the crewmember against the yacht’s swim platform, resulting in extensive injuries.
These included a complex ilium fracture of the right pelvis, liver contusion (classification II), multiple rib fractures on both sides, and fractures of the vertebral transverse processes (L1-L4). Immediate medical intervention was required to stabilise the patient, and the complexity of his injuries necessitated a coordinated emergency response.
In partnership with Athens Assistance, Northcott Global Solutions (NGS) orchestrated the medical evacuation and eventual repatriation of the crewmember from Greece to Toronto, Canada. This comprehensive case study illustrates the collaboration and seamless operational coordination between NGS and Athens Assistance, showcasing their ability to manage complex cross-border medical emergencies.
The Incident
NGS received an urgent alert from the yacht’s captain following the crewmember’s accident. The injured individual had been pinned between the yacht and the tender, resulting in serious internal trauma and multiple fractures. Along with a complex ilium fracture, the patient sustained liver contusion, rib fractures, and sprains and strains to the lumbar spine and pelvic regions. Given the severity of these injuries, NGS worked within its delegated authority and immediately verified coverage, liaising with insurers in the background. An immediate airlift was deemed essential for further evaluation and treatment.
The patient was airlifted from Mykonos Polyclinic to Mediterraneo Hospital in Athens, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for trauma care. His injuries, including bone marrow oedema and damage to soft tissues, required a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach. This included neurosurgeons, thoracic surgeons, orthopaedists, and general surgeons who worked together to manage the patient’s complex treatment plan.
Initial response and medical support
Upon the patient’s arrival in Athens, NGS and Athens Assistance quickly collaborated to ensure that all necessary medical documentation was provided. Athens Assistance arranged for detailed medical reports and cost estimates from Mediterraneo Hospital, relaying essential updates to NGS on the patient’s condition. The patient underwent multiple assessments and surgeries to stabilise the fractures, liver contusion, and damaged soft tissues. During this time, Athens Assistance’s medical team monitored the patient closely, liaising with treating doctors on a daily basis.
NGS in-house medical team and ops coordinated from a strategic standpoint, overseeing the logistics of the entire process. This included securing guarantees of payment and ensuring that all required authorisations for the patient’s hospitalisation and repatriation were in place.
Hospitalisation monitoring and medical care
Throughout the 30-day hospitalisation, Athens Assistance provided daily monitoring and medical assessments. The patient required extensive treatment for his multiple fractures, and specialists worked to manage the injuries to his ribs, pelvis, and liver. Athens Assistance maintained close communication with NGS, ensuring that the patient’s condition was stable and progressing towards eventual repatriation.
The guarantee of payment (GOP) placed by NGS enabled uninterrupted care, while Athens Assistance ensured that the treating physicians had the support needed to provide the best possible care. The critical injuries, including fractures of the vertebrae (L1, L2, L3, and L4), required careful monitoring to avoid further complications. Over the course of his treatment, the patient’s condition improved, and discussions regarding repatriation began once he was deemed fit to fly.
Medical clearance and flight preparations
Within a month, the patient’s condition had stabilised, and the repatriation process was initiated. After thorough consultation between the medical team, NGS Med Ops, and Athens Assistance, it was decided that a commercial flight on a stretcher was the most suitable method of transportation. Athens Assistance coordinated the process, obtaining the necessary medical clearances from the airline, arranging for the stretcher set-up, and purchasing flight tickets for the patient, his wife, and the medical team accompanying him.
The Athens Assistance medical desk, along with its aeromedical team, worked diligently to prepare the patient for travel. The medical team, consisting of a nurse and anaesthetist, would monitor the patient throughout the journey to Toronto, Canada. The complexity of the patient’s condition necessitated careful planning to ensure his safety during the transatlantic flight.
Final preparations and on-the-ground support
In preparation for the repatriation, Athens Assistance doctors conducted a final assessment of the patient’s condition, ensuring that he was stable and fit to travel. They prepared the medical equipment necessary for the flight and instructed the medical escort team on how to handle any potential complications that could arise during the journey.
The patient was transported from Mediterraneo Hospital to Athens International Airport, where he boarded a commercial flight equipped with a stretcher and medical monitoring systems. Throughout the flight, the medical team provided continuous care, monitoring his vital signs and ensuring his comfort.
Upon arrival in Toronto, NGS arranged a ground ambulance to transfer the patient to a trauma hospital for specialised treatment. The patient’s rehabilitation process, including an extensive physiotherapy programme, was zinitiated and is still ongoing. This phase, fully managed by NGS, showed coordination of post-repatriation care, ensuring a smooth transition and comprehensive treatment plan for the patient’s recovery.
Cost containment measures
While medical repatriation is often a costly endeavour, NGS took proactive steps to minimise expenses wherever possible. Although cost containment opportunities were limited by the urgency and complexity of the case, NGS leveraged its extensive network of service providers to negotiate competitive rates. NGS ensured the patient received top-tier care while managing costs effectively. By closely monitoring follow-up care in Toronto, NGS secured substantial discounts of 10–50% through cost containment measures, passing the savings onto a satisfied insurer.
Conclusion
This complex case of medical evacuation and repatriation highlights the critical role that both NGS and Athens Assistance played in ensuring the successful transfer of a severely injured individual across international borders. From the initial emergency evacuation in Mykonos to the medical care in Athens and the repatriation to Toronto, the partnership between NGS and Athens Assistance ensured seamless collaboration. After repatriation, NGS took over follow-up care, managing a customised physiotherapy programme and follow-up appointments to ensure full recovery.
Through its coordinated approach, NGS ensured that the patient received expert care at every stage of the journey, while Athens Assistance provided essential on-the-ground medical support and logistical management. Together, these organisations delivered a safe, efficient, and compassionate repatriation, ensuring the patient’s comfort and well-being throughout the entire process.
With their combined experience in global crisis response and medical repatriation, NGS and Athens Assistance exemplified their ability to manage even the most challenging medical emergencies, providing peace of mind to their clients in times of crisis.