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New EMS Station Officially Opened in Ile des Chênes

Residents of growing communities just south of Winnipeg will have improved access to quality emergency care following the official opening of a new emergency medical services (EMS) station in Ile des Chênes, Health Minister Sharon Blady announced today.

“In our growing communities, it is important for people to have access to emergency medical services when they are most needed,” said Minister Blady.  “This new, modern station will support the hard work of the paramedics as they provide quality care as quickly as possible.”

The new building has two bays for ambulances plus crew offices, work areas, washrooms and showers.  The total size of the building is approximately 2,100 sq. ft.

“This new EMS station is the result of our government’s continued dedication in improving health infrastructure for the benefit of both paramedics and Manitoba families,” Tourism, Culture, Heritage, Sport and Consumer Protection Minister Ron Lemieux said on behalf of Minister Blady at an event today celebrating the opening of the station.  “It will ensure that communities receive medical assessment, treatment and transportation services in a safe and timely manner.”

The announcement builds on other recent investments in emergency services including:

• providing an estimated $11 million each year to fund the full patient cost of inter-facility transports;
• introducing the southern air ambulance inter-facility transport initiative, which covers the cost of flights to Winnipeg for medical testing and treatment for patients who would otherwise face an ambulance ride longer than two-and-a-half hours to Winnipeg;  
• providing $9.7 million to purchase and retrofit a replacement Lifeflight jet for lifesaving medical care and transportation from isolated rural hospitals and nursing stations to care centres in Winnipeg;
• building a provincial fleet ambulance program of 175 vehicles with a planned 55 replacements in 2015; and
• permanently hiring additional paramedics provincewide and partnering with Red River College to deliver a new advanced care paramedic program starting in September 2015.

“This new EMS station will help us in our sustained efforts to meet our mandate of enhanced patient safety and improved client services in the region," said Kathy McPhail, chief executive officer, theSouthern Health–Santé Sud health region.  “This collaborative initiative together with Manitoba Health and the local/municipal community will not only result in more efficient use of resources for our regional health authority, it will ultimately benefit the community.”