Ambulance takeover by Alberta Health met with cautious praise, concern

The announcement that Alberta Health will take over responsibility for the province's ambulance service is being cautiously welcomed by most of the province's emergency medical service providers. 

"On the surface, just the fact that there was an announcement, and that there is a direction of governance and funding, allows ambulance services, municipalities and ambulance providers to continue with strategic planning … long-term planning, short-term planning, capital planning," Rob Hargreaves, chairman of the Alberta Ambulance Association, told CBC News.

"We are no longer in limbo as to who is going to be responsible for governance and funding."

Health Minister Ron Liepert announced Thursday that, effective April 1, 2009, all ambulance and EMS services will be delivered, and paid for, by the new health superboard. The system currently comprises 500 ambulances, 3,000 workers and 80 service providers.

Hargreaves said he welcomed the flexibility of the announcement, as the Alberta Health Services board, which replaced the province's nine regional health authorities, has the option of providing the services directly or setting up agreements with third-party providers.

"The one strength that we were pleased with and [is] recognized in the document is that there is strength in diversity of delivery models, and they've maintained the ability to have all the different types of delivery models that are currently available," he said.

Calgary paramedics worried about cuts

But Rick Fraser, the president of CUPE Local 3421, which represents more than 400 Calgary paramedics, said he is worried the city could see a cutback in services once the province takes control.

"There are many people who look at the health system now and feel it's failing and [with us] being swallowed by that, our concern is that there may be cuts to the service," he said.

"Every paramedic in the city is dedicated to delivering the best care possible and of course time matters in an emergency so we're definitely concerned about that."

Fraser also said his members are hoping that they may receive a salary boost once the transition is complete. Under the new plan, EMS personnel, as part of the health system, will become an essential service and will lose their right to strike.

Liepert said the move follows extensive studies and reviews, and is part of the Progressive Conservatives' plan to reshape the province's health-care system.

The Liberal Opposition said the announcement, which came a day before the new health superboard was expected to meet for the first time, created confusion because it lacked implementation details.

The government plans to study various models in order to create an easy transition, aided by a one-time funding boost of $29 million.

However, the Liberals did say that they support the decision to move ambulance services into the health department.

The government estimates that once the transition is complete, it will cost roughly $220 million a year to operate the service. Under the new model, patients will still be responsible for paying ambulance fees.