The upgraded heliport features a raised landing pad and fenced area in accordance with Transport Canada standards.(submitted photo/SHA)

By Glenn Hicks

air ambulance

Victoria Hospital heliport ready for flights

Dec 20, 2019 | 2:38 PM

Construction work to upgrade the heliport at Prince Albert’s Victoria Hospital has been completed meaning valuable minutes can be saved in transferring critical needs patients to Saskatoon.

SHA spokesman Doug Dahl said Transport Canada approved interim certification earlier this week so air ambulances can resume using the pad.

“That means we no longer have to have an ambulance ride out to the airport,” SHA spokesman Doug Dahl told paNOW. “So that’s really good news for our patients and for STARS in being able to reduce a little bit of time for patient transfers.”

While the work was being done since October STARS ambulances needed to land at the Prince Albert airport.

The upgraded heliport is near the Alfred Jenkins Field House and new playground. (submitted photo/SHA)

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Dahl explained the upgrades were necessary because the area around the hospital had become busier, especially with people coming and going to the Alfred Jenkins Field House and the new playground behind.

“We have a fence around the landing area and have built [it] up to meet Transport Canada standards,” he said. “It really is about improving safety for the flight crew, the staff and the public in the area around it.”

Helipads need to be close enough to a hospital so that staff can get a patient to the aircraft efficiently without the need for a vehicle.

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glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princelabertnow