Tofino General Hospital’s seven-year wait for a new helipad will soon be over.
Island Health, the Tofino General Hospital Foundation and the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District issued a joint announcement last week that assures helicopter access to and from the hospital will resume in 2019.
“I know that hospital staff, emergency personnel, physicians and community members alike share a sense of relief and gratitude that the helipad is returning to the Tofino General Hospital,” said Tofino mayor Josie Osborne through the announcement. “It’s a critical piece of infrastructure that has been challenging to live without, and we welcome its return.”
The hospital has been without a helipad since December 2011, when Transport Canada shut down the existing helipad due to safety concerns.
“Since the closure of the helipad, patient transfers that require transport by air have taken place at the Tofino Airport, located about 15 kilometers from Tofino General Hospital. Ground transportation of other patients not requiring air transport continues by road,” Island Health interim executive director Marie Duperreault told the Westerly News.
Duperreault would not disclose the amount that’s been budgeted to build the new helipad, but said a Request for Proposals will be issued in the coming weeks for contractors to bid on the project.
“Once the tender is awarded, we can share more specific details about the cost,” she said.
Island Health has agreed to cover 60 per cent of the cost with the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional Hospital District covering the remaining 40 per cent.
“Island Health is extremely pleased the helipad is underway,” said Leah Hollins, Chair of the Island Health Board of Directors. “We know helicopter access to Tofino General Hospital is a priority for residents of the West Coast of Vancouver Island and we appreciate the community support and feedback we received during our planning process.”
The new helipad will be installed on Tofino General Hospital Foundation lands neighbouring the hospital in approximately the same area as the old one had been, according to the announcement.
“The community has been clear that a helipad at Tofino General Hospital is an important part of the health-care picture for this region and it is great news that this project is moving forward,” said Health Minister Adrian Dix in the announcement. “Once in place, this helipad will help ensure that the most critically ill patients are able to get to the care they need as quickly as possible.”
The announcement adds that Island Health consulted with local stakeholders in 2016 before developing the plan for a new helipad.
“The helipad will help to ensure residents and visitors to Tofino have access to critical emergency care if they need it,” said Mid-Island-Pacific Rim MLA Scott Fraser. “It will complement the already top-notch care provided by our health care professionals at Tofino General Hospital.”
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