John Hamill is shown in this file photo. The former city councillor recently needed a pacemaker put in but had choice words for the dollars he says were wasted during transport back from Lethbridge.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
Former city councillor John Hamill claims an ambulance transfer from Lethbridge to Medicine Hat Regional Hospital this week is an example of wasted heatlh-care dollars.
Earlier this week Hamill visited the emergency department, was diagnosed as needing a pacemaker, and admitted to Medicine Hat Regional Hospital.
On Wednesday morning Hamill, along with another patient in need of a pacemaker, were transferred in one road ambulance to Lethbridge for the surgery. After the procedure they were both waiting for an ambulance to return them to MHRH.
Hamill says about 8:15 p.m. an ambulance arrived but would only take the other patient.
Hamill says he questioned why he and the other patient were sent to Lethbridge in one ambulance, but required two to get back.
“They said they were only there to pick up one (person),” said Hamill. “It’s all wrong. I said to him (crew) we have both got to go to the same place and we came this morning in one ambulance.”
Hamill says two ambulances, with two crews – and the associated costs – were used when one would have been sufficient.
“It was 9:25 p.m. when the next ambulance came. I got back here at midnight,” said Hamill.
“I have no trouble with the staff. The people who did this were first class and the hospital is amazing, no trouble at all,” said Hamill.
Alberta Health Services responded to queries about the ambulance transfer with a statement.
“Patient safety is the highest priority for EMS, and we ensure all patients are transported in the safest possible manner, and properly secured during transport. Some EMS ambulances have the ability to transport two patients in stretchers, while others can only accommodate a single stretcher patient.”
Hamill says the return journey was already known of that morning when he and the other patient were transported to Lethbridge, and feels EMS could have scheduled an ambulance for two.
AHS declined to comment on specifics of the incident, citing patient privacy.
“Depending on the timing of the transports, length of in-hospital procedures, EMS crew staffing and shift times, and return trip timing, a different ambulance or crew may provide return service,” reads the AHS statement. “AHS works to transport patients as quickly as possible in the most appropriate unit available.”
“They’re wriggling around,” said Hamill. “To me it was a complete and utter waste of money. They talk constantly about trying to do things cheaper and better but they don’t.”
Hamill has now been discharged from hospital and is recovering well.
