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Province to examine hospital transfers

Red Deer Emergency Services says a provincial review of how ambulances are deployed is welcomed.

Red Deer Emergency Services says a provincial review of how ambulances are deployed is welcomed.

How, or if, that will change the way local ambulance services are offered remains an open question.

Deputy Fire Chief Greg Adair said ambulance providers provincewide have raised the issue of whether routine hospital transfers are the best use of ambulances.

“It’s all part of using emergency ambulances for appropriate work. I would say there’s a global questioning of why are we doing that.

“Is that the best utilization of resources?”

Adair supports efforts to take a look at the ambulance system to find more efficiencies.

“It’s always good to review this stuff so we’re looking forward to the review.”

It is difficult to predict if a review will lead to changes in how local ambulance service is delivered. Red Deer provides five ambulances.

Red Deer Emergency Services, and the province’s other ambulance providers, are in the midst of long-term contract negotiations with Alberta Health Services.

“So I don’t know what that means and what that final contract will look like, and whether it will change the way we do business.”

Alberta Health Services is looking at a different way of transferring patients without tying up fully equipped ambulances.

The Alberta government is apparently considering turning over one-third of the 400,000 ambulance calls each year to someone else.

Using private contractors is one option that has been floated to handle inter-hospital transfers, which are often trips from long-term care homes to hospitals for diagnostic tests.

Red Deer Mayor Tara Veer said it is significant that the province is making the distinction between emergency ambulance service and inter-facility transfers.

“I think there is an acknowledgement of that from the province. I take that as a positive step,” said Veer, adding she hopes it leads to further discussions.

Health Minister Fred Horne promised on Tuesday to establish a working group to review concerns about the consolidation of ambulance dispatch services.

It has been an issue in many communities, especially those that offer integrated fire and ambulance services such as Red Deer.

There have also been complaints in some communities that the ongoing plan to consolidate dispatch into three centres has led to longer response times.

Veer said communities with integrated services presented a solid front at the recent Alberta Urban Municipalities Association conference.

They are “absolutely resolute” in their stance that maintaining regional dispatch service is vital to operating integrated systems efficiently.

pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com