The province revealed yesterday that two new contracts have been awarded to two organizations which will deal with ‘scheduled, low acuity interfacility transfer services,' to help reduce response times of Alberta Health Services Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Interfacility transfers (IFT) are patient transports between hospitals or between hospitals and other settings that provide specialty care or services. According to the province, Guardian Ambulance Ltd. in Calgary and Associated Ambulance and Services (Whitecourt) Ltd. in Edmonton will, 'add resources to the EMS system'.

".. That will help AHS free up ambulances and paramedics to focus on emergency medical responses in Alberta’s two largest cities."

The province cited that there are approximately 174,000 of these non-urgent transfers annually, with about 24,000 in Edmonton and about 20,000 in Calgary identified as being appropriate for contract service partners, as this volume is non-urgent low acuity transfers. Work is underway to expand interfacility transfers to other areas of the province as well.

However, critics are skeptical of the announcement. Alberta NDP Critic for Health, Dr. Luanne Metz said that the UCP is 'gambling on another privatization scheme with EMS.'

"We already know these private companies offer inferior jobs with fewer benefits and lower pay so turnover is high. Outcomes in private delivery will no longer be easily monitored. We will never know how much of our public dollars are going towards private profits and at the same time will lose important public protections."

The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA), a trade union representing tens of thousands of paramedical technical, professional and general support employees in both the private and public healthcare sectors was quick to make comparisons to DynaLIFE labs.

"The tragic lesson Albertans learned from the failure of DynaLIFE labs was that the promises of cost savings and improved efficiencies from corporate health care are nothing but a sham to undermine the public health-care system," said President of HSAA Mike Parker. "For-profit health care reduces the quality and availability of health care as corners are cut in the name of profit, leaving Albertans to pay the price with their health."

HSAA deemed the announcement as one that would, 'jeopardize Albertans' health care by handing over public services over to private, for-profit companies.'

"It was only a few months ago that this government corrected its failed approach to for-profit health care after a complete failure to move community laboratory services to DynaLIFE. Today, they are setting Albertans up to face the same problems with EMS," Parked added.

The HSAA wasn't the only organization to be critical of the IFT announcement. Chris Gallaway, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare also pointed to DynaLIFE as a comparison to Thursday's announcement. 

"Despite bold promises from the government that their privatization schemes will bring down wait times, save money and improve care, the opposite continues to happen,” Gallaway said. "The failed privatization of our community labs is currently costing Albertans tens of millions of dollars to undo. It’s time for the government to learn their lesson and stop with these expensive privatization schemes."

While critics were quick to point to DynaLIFE as a failed and costly experiment, the government's own provincial budget took stock of the price tag attached to the, 'transitioning all community laboratory services to Alberta Precision Laboratories is reflected in 2023-24.'

"This includes a total cash consideration paid of $ 31.5 million plus the assumption of net working capital, reflecting the DynaLIFE assets acquired. Costs that were previously recorded as contract expenses will now be reflected in salaries, supplies, and physician compensation. A joint agreement between AHS and DynaLIFE enabled a smooth transition to integrate all public laboratory services in Alberta and ensure continuity of staff and service," provincial budget documents stated. 

In 2022, when the government initially announced that DynaLIFE Medical Labs would provide community and non-urgent hospital lab services across Alberta, it was estimated that the government would save between $18 million to $36 million per year.

The announcement on contracting IFTs outside of AHS was part of a larger announcement by the government on reducing emergency response times, as well as increasing emergency medical services capacity in Alberta. It was also underlined that the 2024 provincial budget is providing an additional $25 million towards a total investment of $35 million over three years to the EMS Vehicles Capital Program.

"This funding will support the replacement of EMS vehicles that have reached the end of their life cycle and ensure that in-service vehicles are appropriately maintained, updated and provided with additional equipment to meet the needs of both urban and rural Albertans," the province stated.

Another $2 million in Budget 2024 has been allocated for an independent review of the provincial air ambulance program and a paramedic workforce study to inform what improvements will need to be made for the future of the EMS system.

The review of the air ambulance system in Alberta encompasses a thorough examination of various aspects, including response times, operational efficiency and coordination with ground EMS services, with active involvement from emergency services staff across the province.

In the paramedic workforce study, feedback from front-line paramedics and emergency communications officers is crucial in understanding the challenges faced, opportunities for improvement and recommendations for enhancing their work environment.

"Their input will be integrated into the study's findings and recommendations to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the current state of the EMS workforce. The workforce study aims to identify opportunities for growing Alberta’s paramedic workforce, recommending improvements in recruitment, work environment, retention and training."

The workforce study will include a provincewide paramedic survey, examining mental health supports and access, retention activities, workforce mobility within and outside the province, demand forecasting for the paramedic workforce, and educational capacity and processes. 

Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.com. You can also message and follow us on Twitter: @AIR1061FM

DiscoverAirdrie encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the DiscoverAirdrie app. For breaking news, weather and contest alerts click here