Ambulance changeover barely noticeable

The switch in ambulance service delivery from the province to the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB) passed without a hitch.
The Jan. 1 transition, legislated by the province in all of Ontario’s districts and counties, saw local service boards take on administration duties for land ambulance services.
“What it was was the way the funds were delivered and the way the funds will be distributed,” explained Grace Silander, ambulance supervisor for Riverside Health Care Facilities Inc. here.
“They made the DSSAB directly responsible for the delivery,” she added.
While the service will be run by operators, Riverside, and Atikokan General Hospital, the DSSAB will determine formulas for distribution of the funds allocated by the Ministry of Health.
“Ambulance was really smooth and I feel really good about it. Our operators did a really good job,” said DSSAB CAO Donna Dittaro.
And the paperwork shift should have little effect on the day-to-day delivery of land ambulance services.
“No, in fact, our staff shouldn’t even see the difference. We have great ambulance staff and they’re delivering a great service and this won’t change,” said Silander.
Other changes include the handing over of service delivery in Shabaqua from Atikokan to the Thunder Bay District’s delivery agent, and service delivery in the former municipality of Nestor Falls to the Kenora DSSAB after that community amalgamated with Sioux Narrows.
“We’re in the process now of severing our ties and moving them to Sioux Narrows. We’re going to miss them, they’re good people,” said Silander.
“But Nestor Falls people shouldn’t see any difference, either,” she stressed.
The next project will be to add qualified personnel to the ambulance teams through recruitment and re-education in order to meet more legislated changes.
Ambulance administration already has begun to seek the personnel from across the province.
“By January, 2002 they’re supposed to meet certain qualifications. It certainly discourages volunteers–there’s way more demand for college education and the cost is enormous,” said Dittaro.
“There’s going to be rocky roads ahead but we will be importing staff to meet legislation,” added Silander.