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Service not reduced

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I would like to correct and clarify information in the June 8, 2011 article about the BC Ambulance Service.

First, I would like to assure you that BCAS is committed to providing residents of Sooke and the entire Capital Region District (CRD) with high quality ambulance service and excellent patient care. I would also like to clarify up front that this trial period repositioning of ambulance resources in the region will not result in a reduction of service to Sooke or any part of the CRD.

BCAS is a provincial service that utilizes its resources seamlessly across municipal borders.  This model is a benefit to all communities as BCAS can readily send the required resources to meet patient needs while maintaining community coverage across the region. As such, ambulances are not exclusively designated to a specific community or municipality. On a daily basis BCAS moves ambulances throughout the CRD to ensure that resources are positioned to best serve the public in an efficient and cost effective manner.

Based on our continued analysis of service and workload demands, there was an opportunity to re-deploy resources where they would benefit patient care while still maintaining community coverage in Sooke and across the region.  The trial will be monitored closely to ensure all communities in the CRD continue to receive a high level of paramedic care. BCAS does not anticipate a reduction of service to Sooke as all ambulances in the region are constantly repositioned in a dynamic manner to ensure the best overall utilization and response times for all areas.

At all times, our primary focus is on doing what is best for patient care while making the best possible use of the taxpayer’s dollars that are invested in the ambulance system.

I hope I have been able to provide your readers with a better understanding of BCAS operations in the CRD.

Shawn Carby

BCAS, Executive Director, Vancouver Island