Emergency health services moving from AHS to Acute Care Alberta

Ambulances have been moved from one provincial agency to another. CTV News Edmonton's Nav Sangha has more on what it means for Albertans.

As the province continues to establish the four sector-based health agencies, Acute Care Alberta will become operational on April 1.

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One major part of that process includes transferring emergency health services from Alberta Health Services (AHS) to Acute Care Alberta, the province said on Monday.

“We are progressing significantly toward making Acute Care Alberta operational, and I’m pleased to see this important step moving forward,” said Dr. Chris Eagle, interim president and CEO of Acute Care Alberta.

“These changes will help refocus emergency health services to better meet the needs of Albertans and ensure improved access to the best health care possible.”

AHS has 617 in-service ambulances and 45 support vehicles, as of last month.

With Budget 2025, the province is spending $60 million over three years to the EMS Vehicles Capital Program. The money will be used to help replace vehicles that have reached the end of their life cycles.

The province is also looking to create a “shared services entity” that will provide information technology, finance, and human resource functions.

‘Changing letterhead, not changing lives’

The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) disagrees with the province’s move and doesn’t do enough to help the health-care system.

“No one calling 911 is worried about whether it’s EMS or AHS or Acute Care Alberta. They’re worried about who is arriving and how long it’s going to take,” HSAA president and CEO Mike Parker said.

He adds the province should be investing in recruiting staff, increasing pay, better vehicles and equipment.

“Paramedics are burning out at an alarming rate. We’re seeing ambulances called from further and further away. We’re seeing mass casualty stretchers in ambulance bays because emergency rooms are full,” Parker said.