Courtesy HALO

By Regan Tate

Government releases report on Helicopter Emergency Medical Services

Jun 22, 2021 | 3:15 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB –A long-awaited report on Helicopter Emergency Medical Services in Alberta has finally been released.

The report looked at existing services, gaps in coverage, best practices and procedures, and funding models.

It is unclear what the report will mean for HALO and the services it provides to Southeastern Alberta.

There are 11 recommendations with the biggest being that STARS would become the dedicated helicopter emergency medical service provider for the province. STARS would work with other providers to ensure consistent and safe coverage across the province.

HALO, based out of Medicine Hat, and HERO, which operates out of Fort McMurray, are the other two HEMS providers in Alberta.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

10h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

Provincial funding for STARS would rise to 50 per cent of their $41.5 million dollar annual operating budget. Right now, the province allocates $8.4 million to STARS which is about 23 per cent of it’s current budget.

HALO has been calling on the province to provide core funding for the next three years. Currently it relies on donations and fundraisers to keep it in the air.

HALO submitted a business case requesting $1 million in calendar year 2021, $1.5 million in 2022 and $2 million in 2023 while committing to enhancements to training and technology.

A one-time grant of $1-million dollars was provided to HALO in January 2019. According to the report, AHS EMS has no plans to continue funding HALO at that level and returned to a fee-for-service agreement in April 2020.

HALO chief executive Officer Paul Carolan says he is currently reviewing the report and will provide more information once he has a chance to speak with the Health Minister next week.

Alberta NDP Health Critic David Shepherd released a statement indicating his party is disappointed that the health minister intends to abandon the province’s relationship with organizations like HALO in Medicine Hat and HERO in Fort McMurray.

“This is incredibly disrespectful to the community members who work so hard to help their fellow Albertans, and to the local businesses who have given so generously to keep them flying. This decision is another example of Tyler Shandro’s drive to centralize control of emergency services.

Shepherd is urging Shandro to consult with these organizations and the communities they serve before making a final decision.”

Here are the full recommendations outlines in the report:

• AHS negotiate a service performance based contract with STARS to provide HEMS throughout Alberta, with government providing 50 per cent of STARS’ annual operating costs in Alberta. Minister establish an air ambulance regulation under the Emergency Health Services Act that includes standards on HEMS and fixed-wing air ambulance.
• Integrate HEMS dispatch with EMS dispatch for ground ambulance and fixed-wing air ambulance, and integrate other clinician online consultation resources with EMS dispatch. Implementing this recommendation would be part of a larger policy shift that may involve re-imagining the 911, 811, and Referral, Access, Advice, Placement, Information and Destination (RAAPID) systems in order to integrate EMS care.
• Develop qualifications for ground and air EMS emergency communication officers.
• Determine the provision of ALS and Critical Care based on patient and community need, not mode of transport.
• Multidisciplinary teams must be developed to support patient needs, call type and location. The composition of these teams would be determined in the context of available supports in a given community.
• Integrate rural and remote ground ambulance with ALS and Critical Care Paramedics – using full scope of practice for paramedics.
• Establish a provincial EMS advisory committee that includes all ground and air ambulance.
• Ensure that accreditation standards for HEMS air ambulance align with Accreditation Canada standards for EMS and IFTs.
• HEMS education, evaluation and metrics should be similar across all air/ground ambulance environments for the scene and emergent/urgent access and transport and care of critically ill patients to higher levels of care.
• Identify best practice in educational programming and continuing competency across the EMS system.
• Work with municipalities to integrate rescue as appropriate for zone needs.

“Thank you to the HEMS providers and community leaders who provided their perspective on the delivery of helicopter emergency medical services in Alberta. We all agree that in life-threatening situations, Albertans need to know that they can get the help they need – no matter where they are. We will be reviewing the report further and consulting with HEMS providers in the coming months to determine next steps.” stated Tyler Shando, Minister of Health.

Over the coming months, the Government of Alberta will evaluate the report and consult with helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) providers before making any final decisions.