Thursday, May 10, 2012

** Former Ornge CEO in Ontario allegedly in poor mental health over scandal

** Kentucky using converted school buses for mass casualty ambulances

CANADA NEWS

** Queens Park hearings into the way in which the Ornge air ambulance service was run will not likely see testimony from the former CEO because his mental health is ailing. That is the word from the Torstar Network (May 6) which said Chris Mazza’s lawyer told officials his client was unfit to testify at a scheduled May 16th appearance. According to the newspaper, Mazza’s counsel made the statement after the committee issued a Speaker’s Warrant compelling him to appear. Lawyer Roger Yachetti said Mazza may be well enough in June, but he remained non committal. Former ER physician Mazza founded Ornge in 2005. The newspaper said the current scandal had depressed him to the point of being suicidal.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** Kentucky is converting old school buses into mass casualty units. The Associated Press (May 5) said the move, which is being spearheaded by the Kentucky Hospital Association, would allow for the transport of around 18 patients at one time. According to the newspaper, the initiative is being partially subsidized by the individual counties which must purchase the buses. Conversions are then done by the association.