The Provincial Government has reached a significant milestone in the development of a modern, integrated air and road ambulance system, which will lead to faster response times, more training for staff, and better allocation of resources.
A contract valued at $561.7 million has been awarded to Medavie Health NL to design, manage, and operate the new, integrated road and air ambulance service to March 31, 2035.
As part of the new contract, Medavie Health NL Inc. will be required to:
- Provide operational management for clinical staff and service delivery.
- Manage the dispatch of all emergency calls, routine medical transfers, and non-medical transfers throughout a single, integrated road and air ambulance system.
- Support existing air operations through the transition period as the fully contracted air ambulance service is established.
- Manage the road ambulance base infrastructure and determine the best positioning of bases and deployment of road ambulances.
- Implement a 10-year workforce training plan for paramedicine providers.
- Actively recruit paramedicine providers to expand the workforce to meet a rapidly growing demand.
- Develop and implement new community paramedicine programs, where paramedics use their skills and training to provide care in the community to a patient who does not require transport.
- Work with the Provincial Government and NL Health Services to implement a long-term plan for developing a province-wide helicopter emergency medical service.
- Develop a plan for further improvements in aviation services, including a plan for reducing launch times for Medevac aircraft.
- Develop and implement a low-acuity air transport program, which will have resources based in Gander, to improve patient outcomes and create efficiencies across integrated emergency health services.
- Report how service capability for aviation services can be enhanced and include the use of Gander in the overall plan.
- Implement a provincial Automated External Defibrillator registry.
- Create and deliver a Medical First Responder Program
Medavie is partnering with Provincial Aerospace as its sole air operator, which will sub-contract any other required aviation service providers, including Air Borealis. There will be dedicated medevac and schedevac services for coastal communities in Labrador, and the frequency of schedevac flights will be increased, with north and south coast flights available each day Monday to Friday, depending on demand.
The provincial ambulance workforce consists of approximately 850 paramedicine professionals. Benefits for ambulance employees who joined the public service include a fair and competitive salary, more opportunities for training, and benefits, such as pensions.
More information on recruitment and retention incentives for residents interested in a career in paramedicine and other health care professions is available at workinhealthnl.ca.
Quotes
“Recommendations from Health Accord NL, such as the road and air ambulance integration, are transforming a health care system designed decades ago into one developed in the 21st century. This new integration replaces a series of independent ambulance operators with one that is designed, managed and operated by one entity and modern technology. This is leading to an improved system that will lead to a better allocation of resources and faster response times.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“This contract is another significant step to realizing the transformed health system imagined in Health Accord NL. In addition to connecting over 110,000 residents to family care teams, leveraging virtual technology to improve access to care, and improving social determinants of health, our government is modernizing ambulance delivery. This means better care and response times for our Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and better working conditions for our paramedicine professionals.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Health and Community Services
“Integrating air ambulance services with our ground operations under a single contract marks a transformative step forward for emergency care in Newfoundland and Labrador. This unified approach ensures faster response times, better coordination, and more efficient use of resources across our vast and diverse geography. We have worked with our air ambulance employees to help ensure their continued vital role under the new integrated structure.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
“An integrated provincial air and road ambulance system is a foundational component of a quality health-care system. Finalizing this contract with Medavie Health Services marks a significant milestone in implementing the calls to action of Health Accord NL. NL Health Services is committed to working collaboratively with Medavie, and all of our partners, as we continue our work towards equitable access and enhanced quality of health-care services throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Thank you to everyone at NL Health Services who has been involved in the interim operation and management of ambulance services and to all paramedicine and medical transport staff who provide quality care and support every day to individuals across the province.”
Dr. Pat Parfrey
Chief Executive Officer, NL Health Services
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Learn more
Medavie Health NL Selected to Design, Manage and Operate Integrated Road and Air Ambulance Service
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