Review of airport needed: Alta. minister

Alberta's health minister Gene Zwozdesky says taking another look at moving medevac in Edmonton is worth it even though a municipal report has already examined the issue.

"This is not a waste of money. It's certainly not a waste of time when patient safety and patient quality are at stake," Zwozdesky said.

"You have to do due diligence, you have to spend the time necessary to do it and in the end it's all about building confidence in the system."

Medevac is currently scheduled to move from the City Centre Airport to the Edmonton International Airport when the downtown airport closes.

Envision Edmonton a group trying to keep City Centre open says moving medevac could cost lives.

Premier Ed Stelmach followed the group's suggestion Tuesday by saying the provincial health council should review the possible impact on medevac services when the move occurs.

In 2009, a report released by the city looked at the City Centre Airport, specifically medevac. It details how many health care providers see the closure of the airport as an opportunity to improve medevac services and timeliness.

Zwozdesky says the biggest difference between the proposed report and the one published last year is the new one will consider how other provinces manage their medevac services.

The Health Quality Council of Alberta will do the study.

Dr. John Cowell, CEO of thecouncil,said Tuesday the review would likely take two to four months.

Cowell said he expects the number of flights will be examined to see how many are carrying critically ill or injured patients who need medical treatment as soon as possible, compared with flights bringing in patients for diagnostic procedures.