The NDP Opposition wants to know why someone with a medical emergency in Pelly Crossing has to take two ambulances and a flight to get the hospital in Whitehorse.
“A patient who needs serious medical attention is taken by the Pelly ambulance to Stewart Crossing where they are transferred to the Mayo ambulance, which then takes them to the Mayo hospital where they are then medevaced to Whitehorse,” said MLA Jim Tredger in the legislature Tuesday.
“Aside from serious time delays, this takes two ambulances out of service in their communities. After many years of such utter nonsense, that this still continues is shocking. It is unacceptable. The residents of Pelly Crossing and area have waited long enough.”
The reason for the roundabout route is that the Pelly Crossing airfield is not equipped to handle medevac flights, said Tredger.
“Why is the safety of Pelly Crossing residents not a priority, and when will the Pelly airport be upgraded so that medevac flights can use it?”
Highways and Public Works Minister Wade Istchenko did not answer the question, and instead spoke generally to investments in airport safety and infrastructure in the territory.