It’s been many years since there was a working hospital helipad in the Hope area, but in a few months, first responders will once again have access to this potentially life-saving feature.
Fraser Health recently announced it would be reopening the Fraser Canyon Hospital helipad, which was first decommissioned more than a decade ago due to it not meeting federal standards and regulations.
Since then, all BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) flights have been forced to land at the Fraser Valley Regional Airpark, which is located nearly 7 km from the hospital.
In an emergency situation, saving as much time as possible is crucial, and Fraser Health executive director Petra Pardy said this is part of why the decision was made to get the helipad back in working order.
“Reopening the helipad at the hospital will improve the transfer experience for our patients, staff, medical staff, and BC Emergency Health Services partners, and free up important hospital staffing resources which have been required during ambulance transfers to the local airpark,” said Pardy.
During the long absence of the Fraser Canyon Hospital helipad, the Fraser Health region has been reduced to three hospital helipads — Abbotsford Regional Hospital, Royal Columbian Hospital, and Surrey Memorial Hospital.
While the Abbotsford and Hope hospitals might only be approximately an hour drive apart, Pardy said the recent floods have proven that non-air travel between Lower Mainland hospitals can be abruptly put in jeopardy for extended periods of time.
Thousands of B.C. patients travel by air ambulance every year, with BCEHS reporting that 8,290 people were transported using this method in the 2023-24 fiscal year.
While only two per cent of these air ambulance transports originated from the Fraser Health region, that still accounts for more than 160 transports within a 12-month period — nearly one every other day.
According to Fraser Health, getting the Hope helipad back in working order is projected to cost approximately $220,000.
“We expect the helipad to open in the coming months following inspection and certification,” said Pardy.
In order to meet the required standards set out by Transport Canada and the Canadian Aviation Regulations, an air ambulance helipad must be:
• At least 25 feet in diameter
• Located in a 130-foot diameter area that is free of obstructions
• Constructed with materials able to support at least 14,000 pounds
• Labelled with a capital H oriented to magnetic North