Private companies to take on inter-facility transfers in Alberta: Health Minister
CTV
Alberta Health Services (AHS) is partnering with private companies to help transport non-emergency patients between medical facilities.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) is partnering with private companies to help transport non-emergency patients between medical facilities.
At a press conference Thursday, Health Minister Adriana LaGrange announced the province had signed contracts with two ambulance companies to provide inter-facility transfers (IFT) in Edmonton and Calgary.
LaGrange said those services will free up AHS ambulances in those cities and surrounding areas.
"Transferring low-acuity individuals that need to go between health facilities, it relieves pressure on the overall ambulance system so that the higher acuity ones can be dealt with by the paramedics who have the advanced life-saving capabilities," LaGrange said.
Edmonton will get 26 units from Associated Ambulance and Services (Whitecourt) Ltd., while Guardian Ambulance Ltd. will provide Calgary with 19.
Ambulances will also service smaller communities within 50 kilometres of those cities, and units are expected to come into service in June and July.
The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA), the union representing paramedics in Alberta, opposed the announcement in a press release Thursday.
