Government needs to be proactive on helicopter safety

Liberal Opposition Leader Dwight Ball today stated that it’s outrageous that the Dunderdale Government is, once again, being reactive instead of proactive on healthcare issues. Ball was responding to news that the Minister of Health and Community Services, Susan Sullivan, is ignoring the advice of the Association of Allied Health Professionals (AAHP) and proceeding with the retrofit of an inadequate helicopter for the Medical Flight Program.

“Government plans to retrofit a helicopter that is only a few inches larger than the one currently used,” said Ball. “Medical staff have indicated that the Bell 407, which is the one suggested by government, will not increase the cabin space for patients and equipment and will not alleviate the risks associated with single engine, signal pilot machines, leaving Newfoundland and Labrador as the only province with a dedicated air ambulance program not using twin engine, dual pilot aircraft.”

Ball noted that government’s internal approach is imprudent and that it’s time for them to take this issue seriously and immediately meet with the AAHP, ahead of the March expiry of the Medical Flight Program contract.

“At the very least Minister Sullivan could sit down with the group and listen to their concerns,” said Ball. “Following that we would hope that government will finally invest in a helicopter that is safe and can adequately meet the requirements of the important Medical Flight Program.”

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Media Contact: 

Peter Miles| Director of Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
(709) 729-6151     petermiles@gov.nl.ca