Ornge, the air ambulance service in Ontario, stated during a coroner’s inquest that despite improvements in response times since 2021, they still struggle to meet the Ministry of Health’s deadlines for transporting critically ill patients in the northern regions. Chief operating officer Wade Durham and chief medical officer Dr. Bruce Sawadsky testified at the inquest related to the deaths of five individuals from Constance Lake First Nation due to blastomycosis, a fungal lung disease.
Luke Moore and Lizzie Sutherland passed away at the Notre Dame hospital in Hearst while awaiting transfers to hospitals with better facilities. Sawadsky highlighted that the most critical patients, defined as those with life- or limb-threatening conditions, are expected to be picked up and transported to their destination within four hours as per provincial policy. However, due to the vast distances in northern Ontario, achieving this time frame has been challenging, despite improvements to response times.
Weather conditions also pose significant obstacles to reaching patients promptly, as evidenced by Moore’s case. In one instance, adverse weather conditions prevented Ornge from landing in Hearst to transport Moore to Health Sciences North in Sudbury. Despite efforts and subsequent improvements in response times, challenges such as runway limitations and lack of de-icing equipment persist at airports in northern Ontario.
The inquest also highlighted the case of Lorraine Shaganash, who faced delays in transportation due to various factors, including a shortage of available aircraft and communication issues regarding hospital bed availability. Unfortunately, despite efforts to expedite the transfer, Shaganash passed away the following day.
Sawadsky acknowledged the need for improvements in response times and resources in the north, emphasizing the importance of equitable healthcare access for Indigenous communities. Efforts have been made to address these challenges, including the addition of aircraft and staff, with plans to enhance the fleet and airport facilities in the future.
The inquest, which began in mid-October, is ongoing as stakeholders continue to address the systemic issues affecting critical patient transport in northern Ontario.
