By Anna Smith, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Concerns have been expressed by both Cypress County and the Alberta Opposition regarding a report released at the end of June, regarding helicopter emergency service in Alberta.
The Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) report contains 11 recommendations for change in currently available service, but concerns have been raised surrounding the proposition to make Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS) the dedicated service in the province.
For citizens that rely on services such as HERO, based out of Fort McMurray, and HALO, which operates out of Medicine Hat, these changes could mean much greater delays in response time. HALO comes in the MD of Taber area as well.
“Folks in the Medicine Hat area and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, have been expressing concern for some time about a lack of provincial support for their local air ambulance services,” said David Shepherd, the Critic of Health for Alberta’s Opposition. “I'm incredibly disappointed that what this report appears to be saying is that Health Minister Shandro intends to abandon the provincial relationship with community rescue helicopter organizations. They are recommending that the government of Alberta go forward with a sole monopoly contract for stars, and that they provide the funding only for them to provide services across the province of Alberta.”
A press release by Cypress County adds the fact that STARS is unable to provide emergency response past Medicine hat hospital without refuelling, which could mean significant delays in response to rural Albertans and those in Cypress Hills Provincial Park.
This item is reprinted with permission from the Medicine Hat, AB, Prairie Post. For the complete article, click HERE
To return to this story on TheRegional.com, click HERE
Concerns have been expressed by both Cypress County and the Alberta Opposition regarding a report released at the end of June, regarding helicopter emergency service in Alberta.
The Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) report contains 11 recommendations for change in currently available service, but concerns have been raised surrounding the proposition to make Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS) the dedicated service in the province.
For citizens that rely on services such as HERO, based out of Fort McMurray, and HALO, which operates out of Medicine Hat, these changes could mean much greater delays in response time. HALO comes in the MD of Taber area as well.
“Folks in the Medicine Hat area and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, have been expressing concern for some time about a lack of provincial support for their local air ambulance services,” said David Shepherd, the Critic of Health for Alberta’s Opposition. “I'm incredibly disappointed that what this report appears to be saying is that Health Minister Shandro intends to abandon the provincial relationship with community rescue helicopter organizations. They are recommending that the government of Alberta go forward with a sole monopoly contract for stars, and that they provide the funding only for them to provide services across the province of Alberta.”
A press release by Cypress County adds the fact that STARS is unable to provide emergency response past Medicine hat hospital without refuelling, which could mean significant delays in response to rural Albertans and those in Cypress Hills Provincial Park.
This item is reprinted with permission from the Medicine Hat, AB, Prairie Post. For the complete article, click HERE
To return to this story on TheRegional.com, click HERE