An engineering firm has been brought in to help find a fix to restore air ambulance service to London's University Hospital.
Ornge air ambulance suspended landings at the London Health Sciences Centre's (LHSC) north-end hospital over safety concerns on September 12. The non-profit medical air transportation agency made the decision after receiving internal aviation concerns about obstacle clearance near the helipad and departure routes.
A comprehensive review of the site, along with a review of the Canadian Air Regulations, Company Operations Manual, and Standard Operating Procedures validated the safety concerns. The LHSC hired the engineering firm following talks between hospital officials, Ornge, and Transport Canada. The firm is tasked with finding possible solutions.
“We all have an interest in ensuring patient transports are conducted in a safe, compliant and timely fashion,” Ornge Chief Operating Officer Ian McLean said in a statement. “We appreciate the immediate attention LHSC has given this matter and will continue working closely with all parties to find a resolution.”
While University Hospital's helipad remains out of service, patients requiring helicopter transport will be flown to the London International Airport, then taken by land ambulance the rest of the way to the medical facility.
Air ambulance service to Victoria Hospital in the south-end is unaffected by the suspension of service at University Hospital.
