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The Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench has agreed to hear an emergency injunction application filed by Northern Air regarding Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) decision to remove one of two air ambulances from Peace River.
Northern Air filed the injunction application after learning of AHS’ decision, which the company said was made despite assurances from both AHS and the Minister of Health that a new government contract would not affect services or put patient safety at risk.
One ambulance will now be moved to Grande Prairie to accommodate the winner of the government contract while the remaining emergency air ambulance will be left on a tarmac in Peace River, according to Northern Air.
“AHS’ new arrangement jeopardizes patient care and safety in the Peace River area,” said Northern Air in a statement.
“Most alarming is that the Peace River-based air ambulance will be left outside and exposed to the elements.”
Northern Air said that storing the aircraft outside has the potential to cause major delays in the winter while snow is cleared, the aircraft de-iced and interior temperatures are brought up to appropriate levels for patient comfort and medication viability. Hail storms can also cause significant damage and ground aircraft for long periods of time.
“As a concerned resident, I am appalled by this unacceptable change in service for Peace River. In emergency situations where time is of the essence and patients’ lives are hanging in the balance, weather-related delays will make it impossible to meet AHS’s 30-minute wheels-up requirement,” said Northern Air president Nate Hilman.
“This injunction application is not about Northern Air–it’s about ensuring the safety and proper access to critical medical services for rural Albertans.”
This emergency injunction application will be heard by the Court of Queen’s Bench on March 29, 2018.
