New inter-facility ambulances roll out in Red Deer

Additional ambulances dedicated to non-urgent patient transfers hit the road in central Alberta this week, as a way of easing EMS pressures and improving response times.

According to Alberta Health Services (AHS), the Central Zone Inter-Facility Transfer program will ultimately see 10 ambulances phased into service, with the first in place April 18 and the final unit expected to be operational in July.

“This new service has been identified as a key priority to respond to the increasing volume of 911 calls and patient transfers that we’re experiencing,” says Scott Holsworth, Director of EMS Operations in the Central Zone of Alberta Health Services (AHS). “By adding resources dedicated to scheduled and predictable inpatient transfers, we can free up other ambulances to respond to emergencies in the communities where they’re needed.”

AHS says the additional ambulances will perform non-urgent, low-priority patient transfers, taking the pressure off local EMS crews. The provincial health authority says this will result in helping keep EMS resources in local communities. The new resources are also expected to create capacity at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre by improving patient flow and ensuring patients receive the appropriate care in the appropriate space.