Milk River Health Centre. (Photo: Google Maps)

By Regan Tate and David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Interim report aimed at addressing pressure on EMS expected by the end of May

May 17, 2022 | 4:32 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Health Minister Jason Copping says an interim report on how to address growing demand on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Alberta is expected by the end of the month.

The Alberta EMS Provincial Advisory Committee has been focusing on the issues impacting EMS, such as system pressures that could result in service gaps, staffing issues, and hours of work.

The committee is expected to provide immediate and long-term recommendations that will better support staff and strengthen EMS services.

According to the province, calls to 911 have increased 30 per cent since the spring of 2021, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid crisis.

During Tuesday’s COVID-19 briefing, Copping stated emergency departments and EMS are under strain in particular due to high call volumes and delays in offloading. “Delays that happen because some of the hospitals are full, particularly in their emergency departments and emerge just can’t take the next patient as quickly as they would wish to.”

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The provincial budget included $64-million in new funding to put more ambulances on the street and add air ambulance capacity.

Copping said he is looking forward to the report and will look at more actions that can be taken right away based on the committee’s recommendations.

The Health Minister’s comments come as Milk River announces that emergency medical services will not be provided for about 15 hours.

Alberta Health Services says the Milk River Health Centre Emergency Department will be temporarily closed from 5 p.m. on Tuesday until 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

“This is a temporary measure and AHS is working hard to ensure local residents continue to have access to the care they need during this time,” reads a public advisory from AHS.

Patients in Milk River requiring emergency healthcare during the temporary closure are asked to phone 911. EMS calls will be re-routed to Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge, approximately 87 kilometres away.

“We are thankful for the support of surrounding healthcare centres and medical staff and would like to thank the community for their patience and understanding during this time.”

Nursing staff will remain on-site to provide care for inpatients.

Those with non-emergency health-related questions can call Health Link at 811 or their family physician.