Alberta government pledges more support for EMS
Posted December 7, 2018 11:47 am.
Last Updated December 8, 2018 2:04 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) — The Alberta government has announced a five-point action plan to improve emergency medical services across the province.
The plan includes hiring 30 new EMS staff in Calgary and 10 new ambulances for the city.
The government is also implementing new Hospital Emergency Liaison Officers that would ensure paramedics are back in service more quickly after taking a patient to the hospital.
“Rather than having multiple ambulance crews waiting with individual patients in emergency departments, the new hospital liaison officers will consolidate care when appropriate,” said Health Minister, Sarah Hoffman.
The hospital liaison will be stationed at the Foothills Hospital, Peter Lougheed Centre, Rocky View Hospital and South Health Campus.
Included in the five-point plan is $1 million in mental health supports for first responders.
“Putting on the brave face day to day takes a toll on us, as much as we like to think we won’t be affected it is impossible not to have all these things we see impact us, sometimes long after the call,” said Mike Hennig, co-chair of Edmonton Metro EMS, AHS. “That is why the money allocated to protecting the mental health of paramedics is essential.”
The Alberta Health budget includes a $29 million increase in EMS funding.
