October 7, 2013
Minister Releases Ambulance Review and Announces Next Steps
The Provincial Government has released the review of the provincial road ambulance program. The report, which was completed by the Fitch-Helleur partnership, includes a comprehensive analysis of current ambulance services in the province and recommendations for consideration to support a more effective service for residents.
“Ambulance services play a pivotal role in the delivery of health care,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services. “We asked for an honest and independent assessment of our current road ambulance program and recommendations to make it a high performing system. What we learned is that there is significant room for improvement. As part of this process we have gained valuable insights that will support us in improving system performance while ensuring we are using our resources to optimize efficiency and effectiveness.”
The consultants, who bring international expertise in ambulance service delivery, completed a comprehensive review of the provincial road ambulance program. Their review included dialogue with a wide range of stakeholders including ambulance operators, ambulance professionals and the general public, using roundtable discussions, town halls, interviews and surveys. Fitch and Associates made 10 recommendations for the Provincial Government to consider including the creation of a single agency to administer and oversee the program; creating a central dispatch system; and, self-regulation of ambulance professionals.
“Our next step in this process will be to reach out to the people of the province, in particular industry stakeholders and users of ambulance services such as seniors and persons with disabilities and discuss with them the review’s findings and recommendations,” said Minister Sullivan. “We want to have an open and frank discussion about how we can collectively use the findings and recommendations to help shape the future of road ambulance services in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Stakeholder engagement sessions are being coordinated in partnership with the Office of Public Engagement and will take place in November. The public will also be provided with an opportunity to provide feedback online, via email, and/or by regular mail. Details will be provided in the near future. In the interim, to access a copy of the report, please visit www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/ or call 1-855-729-0333 to request a printed version.
In Newfoundland and Labrador there are more than 800 staff and health professionals and 171 ambulances that complete approximately 185 road ambulance transports per day. To support the delivery of these services the Provincial Government invests in excess of $56 million annually in its road ambulance program.
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Media contact:
Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 690-6290
scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca
2013 10 07 2:05 p.m.