HSAA EMS

HSAA members are the experts in the delivery of Emergency Medical Services. They know too many Albertans in need of emergency care are still waiting too long for help to arrive.

Last week the government said the crisis is over and yesterday a new report showed how entrenched the crisis still is. We are still in a crisis, and we can overcome it. But quick fixes and highlighting selective data won't get us there.

For Albertans to believe the EMS crisis is over they need to know EMS is fully staffed, we are taking care of the people taking care of us, and that an ambulance will be there when they need one.

We have been clear the solution to the crisis is to address working conditions that result in people being off sick, suffering injuries, and that deter prospective professionals from pursuing the career. There are three performance measures that will tell us when the crisis is over.

HSAA is recommending:

🔺 Response times be measured “call to door.”
We should report the complete time it is taking for paramedics to respond. 17 minutes is not an improvement. Imagine doing CPR or being helpless to a loved one in pain for 17 minutes.

🔺 Release daily numbers showing unfilled shifts and dropped ambulances.
If this government is going to announce new resources, it needs to be honest about staffing. 19 new ambulances across the province with no new staff does little when Edmonton alone is averaging 17 dropped ambulances every day.

🔺 Release proof working conditions are improving.
Albertans also need to know how dangerous these jobs are. It’s unacceptable that over 1 in 4 Paramedics were injured on the job last year. Government must show its quick fixes are not at the expense of the health and safety of Paramedics and Emergency Communications Officers.

We are, as always, ready to work with any government to improve these performance measures. Albertans deserve an emergency care system that is fully staffed, taking care of the people caring for us, and that an ambulance will be there when they need one.

These are stories of the challenges health-care workers face every day. It's taking a toll on their physical and psychological well-being.

The crisis in health care is not over.

Governments in Alberta have neglected health-care workers for decades. We need more people and we need to improve working conditions to ensure once we have them, we keep them.

New research from the Parkland Institute
https://www.parklandinstitute.ca/lights_and_sirens

Friday, Canmore Fire Department transported a 911 medical patient to hospital with a firetruck as the closest ambulance was reported to be 45 minutes away and the patient could not wait

Alberta EMS deserves better , the public we serve deserve better. And NO it's not fixed.

"The public is unaware," this paramedic said, his voice quavering with emotion. "They don't know how bad it is until it's too late, until they call for help and no one comes."
Alberta Views magazine
Read the article here
bit.ly/3KQkPfy
Alberta Views magazine

"The public is unaware," this paramedic said, his voice quavering with emotion. "They don't know how bad it is until it's too late, until they call for help and no one comes."
Alberta Views magazine
Read the article here
bit.ly/3KQkPfy
Alberta Views magazine

Reminder that the Casual Survey is out and that you have until July 26th, 2022 to fill this out. If you are a Casual working in EMS please fill out the survey that you should have received by email. If you are a Casual member and have not received the survey yet please email "[email protected]" to get it sent to you.

Reminder that the Core/Flex Survey is out. In response to a membership resolution at convention HSAA developed, and has now sent out a Core/Flex Survey to members. If you currently work Core/Flex please fill out the survey. If you are a member working Core/Flex and have not received the survey yet then please email "[email protected]". This survey is open until August 4th, 2022.

1st night of
Airdrie Urgent Care Closed over night.
At least 20 Calgary Zone Ambulance unstaffed tonight.