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Province of British Columbia: New Ambulance Service Model To Benefit PatientsVICTORIA, Mar 12, 2010 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Integrating ambulance services more closely with the health-care system is the most logical and appropriate way to enhance patient care and renew the British Columbia Ambulance Service, Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon announced today. Over the past year, front-line paramedics made it abundantly clear the current system is broken and fundamental change is necessary to improve emergency services across the province, particularly in rural and remote areas, Falcon said. By aligning BCAS more closely with our health system, we can explore innovative ways to enhance the role paramedics play in serving the needs of patients. Under the new approach, oversight for the Emergency Health Services Commission and BCAS will be transferred to the Provincial Health Services Authority. The decision is based in part on a month-long consultation on options for new service delivery models identified in a report from industrial inquiry commissioner Chris Trumpy. The consultation focused on three options outlined in the commissioners report, including closer integration with the health system, closer integration with other emergency service providers and opportunities for private-sector service delivery. While the path weve chosen will ensure integration with the health sector it will leave the door open for closer alignment with other emergency service providers and private delivery models where it makes sense in individual communities, said Falcon. We understand a one size fits all approach may not serve the needs of patients in every community, and want the flexibility to explore innovative options for service delivery within a provincially co-ordinated framework. Falcon says fixing the model of service delivery is the important first step to resolving key issues raised consistently by front-line paramedics throughout the recent labour dispute. These included heavy reliance on overtime in the Lower Mainland and the need to improve service delivery and employment conditions, particularly for part-time paramedics and those in rural and remote communities. With respect to the latter, Falcon is optimistic closer integration with the health system will allow the parties to be creative in finding solutions that improve both the working conditions for rural paramedics and the health needs of local communities. Falcon added that he has asked Minister of Labour Murray Coell to investigate bargaining unit implications of this decision. The Ministry of Labour will consult directly with paramedics and other stakeholders, completing consultation by March 31, 2010. SUMMARY OF BCAS CONSULTATION On Feb. 10, 2010, the Ministry of Health Services launched a consultation with stakeholders to determine the best model of ambulance service delivery in British Columbia. The Minister of Health Services wrote directly to paramedics and dispatchers at the BC Ambulance Service seeking their confidential feedback on the models, and in particular, their opinions on how each of the models could contribute to providing part-time paramedics with a clear and reasonable path to full-time employment and improved financial stability. Approximately 170 individuals took advantage of this opportunity to provide feedback. During the consultation process, the ministry also met with or received written submissions and other materials from the following organizations: - Emergency and Health Services Commission - British Columbia Ambulance Service - Health Employers Association of British Columbia - Health authorities - Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General - Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board - Professional Association of Fire Chiefs of British Columbia - British Columbia Professional Firefighters Association - Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 873 - British Columbia Government and Service Employees Union - Health Sciences Association - British Columbia Nurses Union - Union of British Columbia Municipalities - Government of Nova Scotia - Government of New Brunswick - Southern Interior Medevac Group (private service provider Kamloops) - Medic One (private service provider Vancouver) - Advanced Life Support Paramedics Society of British Columbia Feedback from the consultation varied widely in terms of the depth of detail and analysis, however, a number of general themes were expressed consistently. These included: - Current model: recognition that the current service delivery model includes some elements that are highly regarded and worth maintaining. - Provincial service: clear support for maintaining a provincially co-ordinated service. - Health-sector integration: generally seen as providing the best opportunity to improve both delivery of health services for local communities and employment conditions for rural paramedics. - Flexible approach: understanding that no single model or approach would solve all of the challenges with the current model and that flexibility is required to meet the service needs of local communities. - Repairing relationships: widespread understanding that the relationship between management and employees within the BC Ambulance Service must be addressed. 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