An emergency injunction on the changing of air ambulance providers in Peace River will be heard by the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench Thursday. Northern Air filed for one over Alberta Health Service’s decision to have CanWest Aviation take over the service as of April 1st.
The longtime operator is concerned that the move will put the public’s safety at risk, as one of its two air ambulances will be stationed in Grande Prairie for scheduled service. The other will temporarily be kept on the tarmac at the Peace River Airport for emergencies, as there are no available hangars.
“As a concerned resident, I am appalled by this unacceptable change in service for Peace River,” says Northern Air president Nate Hilman. “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.”
CanWest was awarded air ambulance contracts for eight locations across Alberta in March 2017, but didn’t have the infrastructure to start up last April as planned. Northern Air has been running on contract extensions since.
The province has maintained that patient safety will not be negatively affected by the change in service providers. AHS President and CEO Dr. Verna Yiu said earlier this month they were working with the town on getting a hangar, and the brand new planes CanWest has will better support patient care and safety.
“We have taken every step possible to ensure those who depend on this important service continue to receive high quality care. We are pleased to have a temporary solution in place as discussions continue between the Town and CanWest.”
Northern Air also filed for a judicial review of the decision in November 2017. That is scheduled for this June.