A Conservative MPP says Ontario’s troubled air ambulance provider is now refusing to land on some helipads in isolated northern communities.
Norm Miller says he’s received reports of Ornge not conducting night landing because of poor lighting.
Miller stresses it’s becoming a safety issue.
He says when time is of the essence in the event of an emergency, patients and paramedics need to know they will receive timely, life-saving service.
The Muskoka-Parry Sound MPP calls the company’s current requirements when landing at night “impractical”.
Miller stresses it’s a problem Ornge needs to deal with and they must act now to find a solution.
Miller says more and more communities are falling into a black hole of care.
The company has stated there are some circumstances where they won’t land because of concerns for the safety of pilots, crew and patients.
Miller raised the issue in the Legislature before its recess after a young teen was airlifted an hour away to Parry Sound, instead of a nearby heliport that serves the municipality of Whitestone.
