This release was issued under a previous government.
“For many of us, a paramedic or other member of the EMS team is our first point of contact with the health care system. Working in partnership with municipalities, we are successfully integrating ground ambulance services with our provincial health care system to ensure Albertans have access to these critical services where and when they need them.
“Today, 95 per cent of ambulance calls are dispatched from one of the consolidated dispatch centres, and 85 per cent of ambulance resources are coordinated on a provincial basis. While much has been achieved, there is still work to be done. Recently, I met with mayors and other elected representatives from municipalities, including many who operate integrated services (fire and ambulance) which have served citizens well for many years. Some continue to express concern about consolidation of dispatch services with AHS. We agreed that working groups involving senior officials from the municipalities, Alberta Health and AHS would be immediately formed to work through the remaining issues and propose options that will preserve the best of integrated services and still ensure that the closest, most appropriate EMS resource is dispatched to every Albertan in need, regardless of where they live.
“An additional concern relates to the growing use of EMS personnel and equipment to perform routine inter-facility transfers (IFT). These are non-urgent situations where patients are transported from one facility to another for routine tests and appointments. At present, a significant number of ground ambulance calls in Alberta are for IFTs. I want Albertans to know we are actively exploring options to move IFT outside the EMS system in order to ensure we are not tying up local resources that are needed for emergencies. This move could result in a significant increase in the availability of ambulances for all Albertans.
"Finally, I want to reiterate our commitment to work in partnership with municipalities to promote continuing quality improvement in ground ambulance services going forward. Regular dialogue and openness and transparency regarding the performance of the system are critical to success. To this end, government will work with the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties and other stakeholders to establish a provincial ground ambulance services forum. This group will meet quarterly with Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services to review and analyze response time data and other quality indicators, and discuss options to improve service delivery and coordination."
Minister Horne will be available for interviews on Tuesday, November 26, at 12:30 p.m. outside room 208 in the legislature.