EDMONTON, AB: The under-utilization of non-emergency inter-facility transfer units is tying up scarce ambulance resources and putting Albertans at risk, the Wildrose Official Opposition said Tuesday.
Documents obtained by Wildrose through the freedom of information process show that ambulance units, including Advanced Life Support Ambulances – AHS’ most equipped units – are being used for non-emergency purposes.
“This is a complete misallocation of emergency medical resources,” Wildrose Shadow Health Minister Drew Barnes said. “Wildrose has been advocating for better prioritization around scarce emergency resources for years, and while we’ve seen AHS discuss increasing the use of non-emergency transfer equipment, we’ve failed to see any real concrete changes.”
Barnes said the centralized emergency model has proven unsuccessful for patients, families and communities.
“This is just the latest example of how AHS’ centralization of health care resources has left Albertans vulnerable,” Barnes said. “Given that we’re running the most expensive health care system in Canada, it’s unacceptable that this issue is allowed to persist.”