Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid introduced today the Emergency and Health Services Amendment Act, 2013, which will enhance the co-ordination of emergency health services in British Columbia.

The Emergency and Health Services Commission, which oversees BC Ambulance Service, will become British Columbia Emergency Health Services and be supported by the Provincial Health Services Authority. British Columbia Emergency Health Services will continue with a mandate of providing provincial ambulance and emergency health services.

Other provisions will permit British Columbia Emergency Health Services to provide urgent and ancillary health services, where and when appropriate, to support the integration of paramedics and other emergency medical assistants into the broader health sector.

The changes also allow for closer co-operation between British Columbia Emergency Health Services and health authorities in improving patient safety and quality of care. This change recognizes the important role played by paramedics and first responders in overall patient care and reinforces the fact that ambulance services are often the first point of contact.

The amendments complete a commitment from the spring of 2010 to integrate ambulance and emergency health services in B.C. more closely with the broader health system.

Media Contact:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887