Doctors are back on board Lifeflight planes- at least for now.
After refusing to board the new planes when the Cessna Citation jets were grounded in mid-June, the doctors are getting back in the air, with a schedule set for July.
Last week was the first time that Lifeflight planes have been fully staffed since the middle of June, according to Lifeflight medical director Renate Singh.
Due to the doctor shortage, planes were staffed with advanced care paramedics and nurses.
Dr. Singh says the doctors’ safety concerns have been addressed so the doctors agreed to try out the new system. Singh went on to add that just because the doctors are back on board now, it doesn’t guarantee they will continue to be after the trial period.
The trial period will allow time for doctors to decide for themselves whether they want to continue working in the new environment.
Dr. Singh said the trial is a big step of good faith for the doctors involved and then proceeded to call the new planes “considerably sub-optimal” compared to the old ones.
