Friday, May 30, 2008

** Alberta ‘super board’ to assume EMS oversight

** Calgary MP questions decision to allow medics more diagnostic say

** Two senior Scottish Ambulance Service brass suspended

CANADA NEWS

** EMS workers in Alberta are about to be declared an essential service. That is the word from the Canadian Press (May29) which said Health Minister Ron Liepert made the announcement at the same time as saying municipalities will cede control of EMS to one overall health board. Set to take effect April 1, 2009, the changes come some 3 years after a study pegged the cost of such a move at $55 million. Operating costs are now expected to run about $200 million annually.

** A plan to allow Calgary medics to transport some patients to medical facilities other than hospitals has one provincial MP cautious. The Calgary Herald (Don Braid and Renata D’Aliesio/May 29) quoted Liberal health critic Dave Taylor as saying he is concerned certain patients may not receive the care they need. Taylor said allowing EMS workers to diagnose ailments and then transport appropriately must be preceded by certainty the practitioners are properly qualified. While acknowledging it could reduce ER backups, Taylor said the government must institute appropriate checks and balances.

UNITED KINGDOM NEWS

** Two top EMS brass with the Scottish Ambulance Service are on leave pending the outcome of a probe into bullying allegations at the service. The Herald (May 29) said SAS chief executive Kevin Doran and operations director Grace Kennedy have voluntarily stood down from duties. Although the substance of the complaint is vague, the newspaper said it concerned Doran and Kennedy pressuring a senior manager to implement changes suggested by them.