Nova Scotia’s health minister says a decision on a new emergency helicopter could be stalled by the fact that one of the options was grounded last month.
Leo Glavine says his department plans to make a decision on the tender this fall, but it’s waiting for clearance from Transport Canada before proceeding.
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One of the replacements being considered is an air ambulance that was grounded last month in British Columbia and Glavine says he wants to make sure there are no outstanding issues before moving ahead.
Nova Scotia’s LifeFlight helicopter was banned from rooftop hospital landings under federal regulations in April.
Transport Canada said the Sikorsky S-76A doesn’t have the certification level required to land on hospital helipads in densely populated areas.
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Glavine says an interim plan that has the helicopter landing at an alternate site near a Halifax park is still in effect.