Lloydminster Emergency Medical Services care enhanced

March 4, 2016

Local and area residents now have access to advanced life support care

LLOYDMINSTER – Local and area residents now have access to advanced life support care when they call 911 for Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Advanced life support care will be delivered through WPD Ambulance-Lloydminster ensuring a broader range of cardiac interventions, breathing supports and medicines are available in emergency situations.

WPD Ambulance-Lloydminster is a privately owned and operated ambulance service contracted by both Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Prairie North Regional Health Authority (PNRHA) in Saskatchewan to provide EMS care in the city and surrounding areas.

“We’re committed to ensuring residents of Lloydminster and area have access to high-quality ambulance care,” says AHS EMS Chief Paramedic Darren Sandbeck.

“In co-operation with our Saskatchewan health partners, PNRHA, we have determined the addition of advanced life support care is needed to better support the community.”

PNRHA CEO David Fan agrees a city the size, scope and location of Lloydminster, with its diverse population and health care needs, clearly requires enhanced EMS.

“We know this much-anticipated move to advanced life support ambulance care will be well received by Lloydminster and area patients,” says Fan.

“This is one example of our bi-provincial planning with key stakeholders from both Alberta and Saskatchewan agreeing that advanced life support is needed for Lloydminster and ensuring the service is available to its citizens,” Fan adds.

Lloydminster ambulance services are monitored by a Joint Oversight Committee comprised of operational staff of AHS and PNRHA. This committee meets regularly with WPD in Lloydminster to review ambulance service parameters.

Sandbeck says AHS is constantly reviewing EMS operations to better understand and support the specific needs of communities across Alberta.

“Patient health and safety is our number one priority,” says Sandbeck.

“The addition of advanced life support care in Lloydminster ensures patients have access to the right kind of care, when and where they need it.”

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

PNRHA is the Saskatchewan regional health authority responsible for the planning and delivery of health supports and services to over 80,000 residents in northwest central Saskatchewan and the City of Lloydminster. Prairie North’s mission is to work with individuals and communities to achieve the safest and best possible care, experience and health for the people it serves.

PNRHA and AHS work together to ensure the seamless delivery of health services for Lloydminster residents on both sides of the border.

- 30 -

For media inquiries, contact:

Francis Silvaggio
AHS Communications
403-943-1257

Linda Lewis
PNRHA Communications
306-446-6625