More paramedics and a new ambulance are coming to Grande Prairie. Health minister Sarah Hoffman confirmed Friday that the government is using a $29 million increase to the 2018/2019 Alberta Health budget to cover additional resources for eight communities.
“Albertans want to know that when they or their loved ones are in need of care in the face of emergency that they won’t have to wait.”
The Swan City is in line for one of the new ambulances and eight more paramedic staff. A timeline for their arrival has not been given.
Hoffman says they are part of a five-point EMS plan mean to relieve pressures on emergency rooms and support frontline workers. It also includes further expansion of the Community Paramedic program, which came to Grande Prairie and Peace River in the spring, as well as $1 million to support EMS workers’ mental health.
“A new psychologist will be added to provide support to emergency workers to look after their mental health and make sure that they get the care they need,” says Hoffman.
In total, 17 ambulances and 90 paramedics are being added around the province, as well as eight new hospital emergency liaison officers in both Edmonton and Calgary. Five ambulances in Vilna, St. Paul, Westlock, and Sylvan Lake are also getting their hours expanded to be 24/7.
The total 2018/2019 Alberta Health budget for EMS is $524 million.