** Thieves steal large quantity of pain killers from Australian ambulance station
** Medavie EMS acquires MD Ambulance in Saskatchewan
AUSTRALIA NEWS
** Victorian police in Ballarat continue to investigate a major theft of ambulance drugs from an area station last week. The Courier (Pat Nolan/Tom Cowie/December 7) said the heist, which likely occurred between 7:30 p.m. and 11:10 p.m. Thursday, saw thieves make off with large quantities of morphine, fentanyl, and midazolam. Although police are largely remaining mum on the details, they have said the ambulance station bore no evidence of forced entry. An electronic swipe card accesses the drug room while another code opens the safe in which the meds are stored. A spokesman for the ambulance service declined to discuss security measures guarding against such thefts. Regional Manager Greg Leach did say, however, that service to patients remained unaffected by the burglary.
CANADA NEWS
** MD Ambulance in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan has been sold to Nova Scotia based Medavie EMS. CTV News (December 6) said the company’s board of directors approved the sale Friday. According to the news service, current CEO and president David Dutchak will continue in his position. Dutchak said he believed the change would benefit patient care and provide additional opportunities for employees. Medavie EMS currently operates in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Ontario, Alberta, and Massachusetts.
