News
Saskatchewan’s NDP government seeks air ambulance change
Jan. 7, 2013, Regina - The NDP in Saskatchewan is suggesting a provincial government executive aircraft currently on loan to the province's air ambulance service should remain an air ambulance.
January 7, 2013 By The Canadian Press
The plane – one of three used by the Saskatchewan government – was lent out after an air ambulance slid off a runway at Maple Creek, Sask., in January 2011 after hitting a snow ridge during landing.
The plane was sent to Red Deer, Alta., for nearly $2 million of insurance-covered repairs and is now ready to return.
But the Opposition says cabinet ministers took fewer flights last year and the government could get by with just two planes, while leaving the third as an air ambulance.
The demand for air ambulance flights in Saskatchewan has increased sharply, even with the introduction of STARS, or the Shock and Trauma Air Rescue Service.
The number of government ambulance flights in southern Saskatchewan alone has increased by 15 per cent.
