Today, Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, issued the following statement on the release of the Office of the Chief Coroner’s review of Ornge air ambulance:

“I want to thank the Expert Panel for their work to examine Ornge air ambulance transports and for their recommendations to improve patient care.

This report provides important information to the families of patients, government and Ornge. Our air ambulance system helps patients at their time of greatest need. It is vital that we take every possible step to provide the best care to every patient entrusted to Ornge.

My ministry and Ornge welcome and will act on all of the recommendations in the Chief Coroner’s report.  In fact, under Ornge’s new leadership, a number of the recommended improvements have already been made, based on the advice of the Auditor General, frontline staff and others. As a result, 15 of the Chief Coroner’s 25 recommendations have been implemented, and progress has been made on four others. We are committed to taking action on all of the remaining recommendations to ensure we have the safest possible air ambulance system, and will report to the Chief Coroner on our progress.

The people of Ontario can have confidence in their air ambulance system. Ornge is well into a new chapter that puts patients first, respects taxpayers, and values transparency. Last year, 18,710 patients were transported by Ornge and its partners, often in life or death circumstances. Anything we can learn to make these transports even safer is vitally important, which is why the Chief Coroner’s report will be of great value as we further strengthen our air ambulance system.”