The Provincial Government has reached the next phase of its provincial ambulance integration as Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services begins operations of all ambulance services provincewide. The move is based on a key recommendation of Health Accord NL to modernize the province’s health care system.
The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, will be available to media via Zoom today beginning at 11:30 a.m. to provide an update on the integrated ambulance service. Minister Osborne will be joined by Cassie Chisholm, Vice President, Transformation (Health Systems) with NL Health Services.
To participate, media are asked to RSVP Tina Coffey (tcoffey@gov.nl.ca) who will provide the required information.
As of June 1, 2024:
- Close to 500 private sector employees, including primary care paramedics, advanced care paramedics, and emergency medical responders will become employees of NL Health Services, creating a provincial workforce of about 850 paramedicine professionals.
- Local phone numbers will no longer provide access to emergency ambulance services. Individuals who have previously called local ambulance/hospital phone numbers for an ambulance in a medical emergency are directed to instead call 911;
- All provincial road ambulances will be dispatched and coordinated by NL Health Services.
- There will be no disruptions of service.
All staff becoming employees of NL Health Services will now receive public sector salary, benefits, and pensions.
The Department of Health and Community Services received two qualified responses to its Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a proponent to design, manage, and operate a single, integrated road and air ambulance service in the province. Submissions are currently being evaluated.
NL Health Services and the Department of Health and Community Services anticipate announcing the successful proponent later this year. The successful proponent will be responsible for managing the program, staff, and budget on behalf of the provincial health authority, and planning to ensure efficient operations as part of the contract.
An integrated ambulance service was a key recommendation of Health Accord NL and will further modernize the province’s health care system.
More details on the RFP, tenders, and other requests for proposals issued and awarded by the department and other public bodies is available by visiting www.merx.com/govnl.
Quotes
“This is a significant step in integration of the ambulance program to create a more modern and responsive service for all regions of our province. I recognize the valuable work of paramedics and all those who support the delivery of emergency medical services. Creating a public sector workforce for the ambulance program will yield numerous benefits for staff hired by NL Health Services so that they are supported to deliver quality care to patients.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services
“NL Health Services is pleased to move forward with this phase of the provincial ambulance integration. We welcome all new paramedicine professionals to the health authority and we thank our current paramedic and medical communications staff and management. We appreciate the skill and professionalism of our provincial paramedicine workforce and we commend their dedication during the transition, and all they do to provide quality and compassionate care to those who need it. We look forward to continuing the work towards a modernized, integrated provincial ambulance program in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Cassie Chisholm, Vice President – Transformation, Health Systems
NL Health Services
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