Vans to be used in medical transport project

The Nova Scotia government is starting a pilot project to free up ambulances and paramedics by providing passenger vans for non-emergency transportation of people between health care facilities.

The three vans will be used by Emergency Health Services as part of a one-year pilot called the medical transport service. The project will start in February in Bridgewater, Kentville and the central health zone (HalifaxWest Hants-eastern Shore).

"By using vans for clients who do not require medical care during a transfer, we are freeing up our ambulances and paramedics to focus on the important emergency care they provide," Health Minister Leo Glavine said in a release. "New approaches like this will ensure Nova Scotians can get the care they need quickly and efficiently, while maximizing our EHS resources."

EHS looks after non-clinical transportation between hospitals and health-care facilities with an ambulance with two paramedics. At times, the same transportation happens from community residences to health care facilities when there is no viable private or public transportation available.

There are 160 ambulances operating in the province.

The new vans will be able to transport more than one person an a time, including people requiring wheelchairs. They will be driven by an EHS employee.

Funding for the pilot is coming from the from the Canada-nova Scotia Home and Community Care and Mental Health and Addictions Services Funding Agreement.