Once again, the med response clinical lead and the emergency physician were in contact with the patients and knew the status of the patients and were working with the patients to ensure that they were safe. As a note, and to be clear, med response was activated at 1:20 p.m. to determine the safest way to get the patients out of Nahanni Butte to appropriate medical care. At approximately 3:30 p.m., the med response provided an update regarding the ETA and flight plans. Four medics were dispatched using two different planes; one to Fort Liard with helicopter assistance over to Nahanni Butte, and one to Nahanni Butte. A Twin Otter, in fact, was the plane that was being used, because it's the largest one that can land on the runway. Med response landed in Nahanni Butte at 5:57, which, in my math, works out to about four and a half hours. During the entire time, Fort Simpson staff remained on telehealth services with staff as well as with the patients for monitoring and assistance. Our analysis shows that the timeframe to mobilize staff from one of the NTHSSA facilities to another facility for support would have been around a similar time of arrival as one done through med response.
However, we want to learn from these experiences, Mr. Speaker. A review of the incident occurred. A quality assurance team is reviewing the final report, and it will be submitted to the executive director of Clinic Integration by the end of the month. The report will inform future health authority practice when responding to similar emergencies.