It's no surprise that when we asked the EMS senior leadership team about the truth behind vacant shifts during the Stampede, they sidestepped accountability, avoiding the uncomfortable reality outlined in this report: CTV News. Instead of embracing transparency, AHS EMS leadership appeared to dance around their responsibilities like a cat with a ball of yarn, leaving the public questioning their commitment to accountability.
This is troubling because when they feed the media a bunch of baloney and keep the juicy details under wraps, it burns the spirits of the paramedics. Trust takes a nosedive, leaving Paramedics feeling like we've been ghosted harder than that one match from tinder. It’s no wonder that the dirty laundry keeps getting leaked.
Clear, honest communication isn't just nice—it's essential for keeping our spirits high and our teamwork tight. When misinformation swirls, it's like trying to paddle upstream in a kiddie pool—it just doesn't work. It makes AHS EMS look about as stable as a Jenga tower after a toddler's birthday party, and tarnishes their credibility faster than a used car salesman caught watering down the gas. Is it any wonder that a Paramedic’s career is under ten years, or why AHS has seen hundreds of resignations or self imposed demotions to casual over the last few years?
So, what's a Calgary Paramedic to do when faced with this gem of a statement? "Significant work is underway to ensure we continue to have appropriate EMS coverage during this busy time," says AHS, probably while patting themselves on the back for finally realizing the Stampede isn't just a pancake breakfast.
This brings us to two burning concepts that seem to overlap. First, let's talk about credibility. Remember those other stories that hit the news around New Years? It's like déjà vu all over again.
New Year's Eve 2023 34 ambulances shut down, 67 shifts MIA, and they managed to fill holes in a sieve with 515 casual hours and 375 overtime hours. Compare that to AHS's statements and you've got a credibility gap wider than the line for free entry at the Cowboys tent.
They couldn’t tell the truth then, why would they be telling the truth now? Heck they even sprinkle on a little gas lighting for good measure: “It is important to note that we add additional resources during periods of high call volume, and when these are not filled it doesn’t accurately reflect the true vacancy rate.”
The point here is there's a pattern, and it's not one they should be proud of. It seems Alberta Health Services has a relationship with the truth that's more complicated than a soap opera plot. We saw this with their statement over New Years Eve staffing. Imagine if they just owned up to it like, "Alberta Health Services acknowledges the significant challenges faced by Calgary EMS, exacerbated by historical deficiencies in leadership support for paramedics, particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new leadership team is actively addressing longstanding cultural and structural issues within the organization. Over the years, the loss of hundreds of paramedics, despite robust recruitment efforts, has created a substantial staffing gap that remains unresolved. We apologize to citizens for any disruptions in EMS service and are committed to rectifying these issues. During events like the Calgary Stampede, while efforts are made to bolster resources and partnerships with emergency departments, the ongoing shortage of paramedic staff underscores the need for continued improvement. We recognize the strain on our paramedics and are dedicated to ensuring adequate coverage to meet community needs.” That'd go over better than a kitten in a room full of catnip. Instead, they give us a word salad that leaves us more confused than a chameleon in a bag of Skittles.
The other concept, and one that is very concerning, is AHS's own statement. “and ensuring paramedics performing non-frontline work (training, committees, etc.) are assigned to the frontline.” This isn't just a Stampede staffing crisis—it's a full-blown, year-round emergency and someone at headquarters was green lighting front line Paramedics to be pulled for special projects? Can someone please check the mental fitness of the person that said that was okay. Fast forward to post-Stampede weekend and just the Calgary zone has over 200 open shifts—what's happening in the other corners of the province?
Again we’d really love to know who thought it was a good idea to shift Paramedics off the front line. Maybe it was the same person that thought you know what’s a great idea? 80 supervisors! I sure hope this person is not the same one who said "Significant work is underway,". Great, did you just discover the former chiefs to-do list from 2018? Because this crisis has been about as surprising as a birthday cake at a surprise party—every year.
Let's talk real cost here. It's summer, and while Calgary's grabbing headlines, spare a thought for the communities left high and dry. Flexing, relocation requests, whatever AHS wants to call it, they’re sure to be robbing the outlying communities of half their ambulances. AHS loves to shuffle ambulances like an addict that just won’t admit they have a problem. They tout their borderless system as an asset, so long as they never have to talk about what a complete net detriment it truly is. A senior leader was quoted, during a meeting by the Cochrane CAG to the AHS dispatch centre in Calgary, something to the tune of “if my family was in Banff I would want to know there was an Ambulance there”, oblivious to the other side of that statement, if another communities ambulance has to come to make that happen it is in fact stealing from Peter to pay Paul.
Well the end of summer wrap up story will be fun because we’re going to expose the extent of how much this was done so, buckle up, EMS HQ—it's gonna be an awkward ride when those numbers hit the fan. And if you're a paramedic reading this, well, let's just say it won't be breaking news to you.
In conclusion, the saga of EMS vacancies during events like the Stampede underscores a larger issue of accountability and transparency within Alberta Health Services. The pattern of misleading statements and bureaucratic mishaps paints a picture more colourful than a clown convention but less amusing for those on the front lines of emergency medical services. Disheartened as front line vacancies climb nearly as fast as the roster of assistant supervisors.
The recent directives from Premier Danielle Smith and Health Minister Adriana LaGrange emphasize a need for drastic reform within AHS, targeting inefficiencies and entrenched managerial obstacles. However, while the government talks tough about shaking up the system, the reality on the ground remains a challenge for paramedics and healthcare professionals alike.
As we navigate through the aftermath of yet another stampede gripped by the same staffing crisis that’s plagued AHS EMS for years, it's clear that lip service won't suffice, just like offering and hoping that exhausted staff will take overtime won't cut it anymore. Paramedics and communities deserve more than bureaucratic finger-pointing and promises that evaporate like rain on a hot pavement. Real solutions demand genuine commitment and swift action to address systemic issues that compromise patient care and paramedic morale.
The upcoming months will reveal whether AHS can pivot effectively to meet the needs of Albertans or if the specter of mismanagement will continue to haunt our healthcare system. For the sake of paramedics and patients across the province, let's hope the next chapter brings clarity, accountability, and a renewed focus on delivering the care Albertans deserve, and maybe more than just an email to staff thanking them for their hard work. There is 80 supervisors now, maybe they should be told to pick up the phone and start calling out to Paramedics to say thank you, even though we know they won’t.
Some parting words for the powers that be.
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