INNOVATIVE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PILOT PROJECT LAUNCHED

Enhanced EMS to Integrate and Improve Health Services

Residents of southwest Saskatchewan will benefit from enhanced ambulance services, through a partnership between the province, Cypress Health Region and the town of Eastend.

The province has committed $84,000 in funding for a two-year pilot project that will provide Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) coverage seven days a week to residents of Eastend and the surrounding area.

"Our government is committed to improving all aspects of emergency medical services in Saskatchewan," Cypress Hills MLA Wayne Elhard said on behalf of Health Minister Don McMorris. "This initiative will help give residents confidence that appropriate emergency medical care will be available when they need it."

"EMS is a vital part of our health care system which we believe is underutilized," Cypress Health Region Director of Emergency Medical Services/Community Hospitals Greg Dunn said. "This project will allow us to utilize EMS staff in additional roles throughout the community, and will provide guaranteed hours to aid in the recruitment and retention of qualified EMS staff."

"Access to emergency medical services is very important to the residents of Eastend and surrounding areas," Town of Eastend Mayor Scott Morvik said. "Having additional EMS staff members with higher training levels will provide an enhanced level of emergency services to our community."

The province's 2009 EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Review recommended a transition from traditional EMS practices in Saskatchewan to a new "Mobile Health Services" system that includes integration of ambulance services within the broader health care sector, and opportunities for paramedics to augment community health services. The Cypress Health Region pilot project will involve elements of mobile health services.

The province will soon appoint a Mobile Health Services Advisory Council to follow up on the EMS report's recommendations and address issues such as funding, service standards and human resources.

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For more information, contact:

Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tmcmurchy@health.gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-3594

Bryce Martin
Cypress Health Region
Swift Current
Phone: 306-778-5117
Email: bryce.martin@cypressrha.ca