Ambulance services moving to new health superboard

Alberta's new health superboard will assume responsibility for the province's roughly 500 ambulances, 3,000 emergency workers and 80 service providers starting in April 2009, the government announced Thursday.

The Alberta Health Services Board, which was announced on May 15 to replace the province's nine regional health authorities, will take over ambulance services from the municipalities effective April 1, 2009, a government release said.

Health Minister Ron Liepert said ambulance services "rightfully belong in the health-care system."

"Ambulance service is health care and as such should be part of the health system. This just makes sense," Liepert said in the release.

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.

Liepert promised to "increase funding and provide leadership to ensure the transition is as seamless as possible."

The government estimates the transition of the ambulance services will cost approximately $29 million. After the responsibility is transferred, operating costs are expected to top $220 million a year.

The board will have the option of providing the services directly or setting up agreements with third-party providers, the government said.

Liepert said he had spoken with Calgary Mayor David Bronconnier and Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel and both were "ecstactic" with the announcement.

The move also means that EMS personnel, as part of the health system, will become an essential service and will lose their right to strike.