Wait times for Cochrane EMS might feel a little bit shorter. Last week, 30 new paramedics and 10 new ambulances were added to the Calgary emergency response teams, which Alberta government spokesperson Kate Toogood said will help reduce the frequency of Cochrane ambulances being called to assist Calgary emergencies. “By having more EMS resources in Calgary and some surrounding rural areas, as well as implementing Hospital Emergency Medical Services Officers, we’ll be able to consolidate patients in our largest adult emergency departments,” Toogood said. “This will help get ambulances back on the road quickly, so areas like Cochrane are better supported.” The injection of new resources is part of a five-point EMS action plan. The addition of paramedics on the road follows years of public complaint that wait times, especially in rural areas, have been far longer than the 10 to 20 minute standard. Across the province, 100 paramedics have been added and 17 new ambulances. The plan also includes a $29-million increase for EMS in the province’s 2019 budget for a total of $524 million. The hopes for increasing the number of paramedics and ambulances on the road in higher density areas like Calgary will mean rural municipalities can keep their resources local more often. It’s also hoped to improve the transfer of patients to hospitals from paramedics’ care and to add a $1 million investment towards mental health services for paramedics, a plan which includes one new psychologist. “Albertans want to know that they and their loved ones will be taken care of if they face a medical emergency,” said Minister of Health Sarah Hoffman. “With more ambulances on the road and more paramedics ready to respond, Albertans will have improved access to emergency medical care when it matters.” Doctor Verna Yiu, president and CEO of Alberta Health Services, said the investments allow AHS to address some of the issues bogging down the health system. “This targeted spending provides additional support where we need it most both rurally and in our metro operations, and improves our ability to continue to respond to patients whenever and wherever they have an emergency.” Back in February, the province injected $11 million into the Community Paramedic Program, which allows paramedics to provide care to seniors and other vulnerable Albertans in their homes (though the program hasn’t yet reached Cochrane).
