Provincial Government Introduces New Legislation for the Road Ambulance Program

  • Health and Community Services

December 5, 2018

The Provincial Government is introducing new legislation governing the road ambulance program – bringing Newfoundland and Labrador in line with other jurisdictions in Canada.

An Act Respecting the Provisions of Emergency Health and Paramedicine Services is the first dedicated piece of legislation for the emergency health and paramedicine sector. Following an extensive consultation process, this new legislation provides a modern framework for ensuring high-quality ambulance and paramedicine services are available throughout the province.

It also provides quality improvement plans, and licenses both operators and paramedicine providers. The legislation allows for new services, such as the introduction of community paramedicine, and maintains clinical oversight through the appointment of a Provincial Medical Director tasked with quality assurance. It will also place licensing for ambulance services with the Department of Health and Community Services.

The proposed legislation will improve oversight and accountability by establishing performance standards, defining the role of inspectors, and improving reporting and patient safety processes. Penalties for contravention of the act highlight the critical importance of ambulance services to public safety.

Dedicated legislation for the provincial road ambulance program was a recommendation from the comprehensive review completed by Fitch and Associates, and delivers on a Way Forward commitment to deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at: thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.

Quotes
“The Provincial Government is committed to ensuring ambulance service in this province meets the needs of residents in all of our communities. In the event of an emergency we need the assurance of a safe, sustainable, quality and reliable service.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services

“The Paramedic Association of Newfoundland and Labrador is excited to see a major recommendation of the Fitch Ambulance Program Review come to fruition, with the announcement of the new legislation for emergency health and paramedicine services. This is a critical step forward in continuing to build on and improve services across the province. We look forward to continuing to work with government to develop modernized standards and regulations.”
Rodney Gaudet
President of the Paramedic Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

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Learn more

Consultations to Begin on Emergency Health Services and Community Paramedicine Legislation

Fitch Ambulance Program Review

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Media contacts
Kathy Dicks-Peyton
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 699-1982
KathyDicksPeyton@gov.nl.ca

Rodney Gaudet
Paramedic Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
1-855-561-3698
contactus@panl.ca

2018 12 05 9:30 am