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The Ministry of Health Services has launched a consultation with stakeholders to determine the best model to deliver ambulance services in British Columbia.  

The consultation follows the release of a report from industrial inquiry commissioner Chris Trumpy, who was appointed by Minister of Labour Murray Coell to come up with options to improve service delivery and the structure of collective bargaining for the Emergency and Health Services Commission and the union representing paramedics, CUPE Local 873. 

 

The consultation, which will occur over the next three weeks, will focus specifically on three options outlined in the commissioner’s report:

•   Closer integration with the health system.

•   Close integration with other emergency service providers.

•   Opportunities for private sector service delivery. 

Senior Ministry of Health Services staff are expected to consult with a variety of stakeholders from within the provincial government, health-sector unions, other emergency health-service providers and the private sector. 

The government has made it clear that regardless of the option chosen, it remains committed to a provincially co-ordinated system of ambulance service delivery. 

BC Ambulance Service and CUPE 873 continue to have productive discussions at the bargaining table and are making progress on a number of different issues that have been identified as being priorities for both sides. The government is hopeful that through this consultation and ongoing discussions that a new contract can be developed before the current one expires on March 31, 2010. 

BC Ambulance Service budget rose 75 per cent in the past eight years – from $181 million in 2001-02 to an estimated $310 million in 2009-10. 

BCAS operates 187 ambulance stations with a fleet consisting of 480 ambulances, 47 support vehicles and nine dedicated ambulance aircraft across the province.

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