It would be well worth the effort for the Foothills Regional Emergency Services Commission and the provincial government to finally find a cure for problems with ambulance dispatch in the Foothills.
The commission has expressed its concerns ever since provincial EMS dispatch was centralized in 2009, saying the move resulted in poor service for Foothills residents.
According to commission chairwoman Suzanne Oel, ambulances are often poorly deployed leaving rural areas exposed with only one or two ambulances to provide coverage for a large geographical area.
The problems have been ongoing for more than five years now and it’s time to find a solution.
The commission wants EMS dispatch services returned back to its control and is looking to the NDP government for help.
This may be the solution, but caution must be taken to ensure whatever is done doesn’t end up creating more problems for EMS dispatch services.
The goal should be ensuring the dispatch system works so ambulances get patients who need medical treatment to hospitals as quickly as possible.
After six years, it’s worth a look with a fresh set of eyes from a government that has shown it’s willing to take a different path from its predecessors.
The bottom line is the care and safety of patients who need emergency care, regardless of who takes the 911 call.
It’s time to find a solution once and for all.
